Industry farewells legendary journalist and publisher
Superannuation and financial advice industry leaders were among the hundreds of mourners at the funeral of Greg Bright in Sydney’s eastern suburbs on Thursday. Leng Ohlsson, one of countless journalists and employees mentored by Bright, reflects on a man who cared about people first and foremost – even willing to occasionally prioritise friendship over the story.
September 06, 2024
Four out of 10 bodies got it right – here’s why
Six out of 10 industry associations took out a full page ad this week criticising the government’s tax practitioner reforms. It was a complete miscalculation ahead of the meeting with Minister for Financial Services Stephen Jones on Friday and the key adviser-based associations were smart to not participate.
September 05, 2024
FAAA pushes for ABS classification of advisers
The final consultation of the Australian Bureau of Statistics review of proposed changes to the Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations will include the introduction of the occupation of “financial adviser/planner” and “paraplanner”, which the Financial Advice Association has pushed for.
September 05, 2024
REST appoints strategy and data leaders
Super fund REST has appointed Kareene Koh as general manager of strategy and Florence La Carbona as general manager of data and insights.
September 05, 2024
How the last AFA president re-discovered his mojo post-merger
Following an “existential crisis” after finishing up with the AFA in the wake of its merger with the FPA last year, it took former AFA national president Sam Perera a few months to regain match fitness and re-integrate himself 100 per cent into his advice business Perera Crowther. While Perera’s role in the merger left him exhausted, his advice to his peers is to get involved with the new organisation.
September 04, 2024
Cbus faces SIS Act breach if CFMEU board seats remain vacant
The $94 billion Cbus super fund may breach the SIS Act if three employee-representative vacancies on the board of its trustee, United Super, are not filled within 90 days. The risk has emerged following the forced administration of controversial trade union the CFMEU, and APRA-imposed licence conditions on United Super and BUSSQ.
September 04, 2024
Zurich Australia appoints chief risk officer
Zurich has appointed David Wainwright as its chief risk officer for Australia and New Zealand.
September 04, 2024
Former ASIC Commissioner to chair Insignia trustee board
Insignia Financial has appointed former ASIC Commissioner Danielle Press as chair and non-executive director of the Insignia Financial trustees.
September 04, 2024
Fitzpatricks appoints CEO
Fitzpatricks Financial Group has appointed Andrew Fairweather as chief executive.
September 04, 2024
Asset consultants outpacing licensee researchers for adviser satisfaction
Adviser satisfaction with licensee research teams is improving but remains the lowest of all key groups of licensee staff. Advisers who run fast-growing practices, which also tend to be the most common users of asset consultants, express greatest satisfaction with licensees that offer open Approved Product Lists.
September 03, 2024
Financial advisers once again collateral in regulatory overreaction
The government’s “response to PwC” by legislating eight new ethical obligations for tax advisers has been another example of collective punishment for minnows in the professional services sector due to the sins of the top end of town, Tom Ravlic writes. The government can’t expect smaller financial advice practices that offer tax advice to take ownership of new regulations targeted at the wrongdoing conducted by big accounting firms.
September 03, 2024
Impact investors weigh up big opportunities and costs in AI revolution
Artificial intelligence technology is accelerating medical innovation and can assist with meeting UN Sustainable Development Goals, but also poses a significant energy generation dilemma for the planet. T. Rowe Price portfolio manager Hari Balkrishna says impact investors in equity markets have a unique ability to positively influence companies on a range of megatrends from AI to healthcare.
September 03, 2024
