The Association of Financial Advisers is now seeking nominations for its program of adviser awards, to be presented at its 2015 National Adviser Conference.
Entries are open for the AFA’s Rising Star of the Year Award, Female Excellence in Advice Award, the AFA Adviser of the Year and AFA Practice of the Year. The Awards program reflects the Association’s belief that recognising excellence in practice is integral to building a strong profession.
This is the thirteenth year the AFA, in conjunction with Zurich, has presented the Adviser of the Year Award, which last year was won by NSW adviser, Eleanor Dartnall. Zurich is also the presenting partner of the Association’s newest Award, the Practice of the Year, in recognition of a practice or business that delivers across all facets of advice excellence and practice management. Last year’s inaugural winner was Queensland-based Complete Financial Balance.
Philip Kewin, Zurich’s GM Retail Life & Investments reinforced that the criteria for each award would continue to include assessment of efforts made by award candidates to improve the financial literacy of their clients, prospects, and the community overall.
“Notwithstanding the challenges faced by the advice profession, the important role played by advisers in creating a more financially informed community has never been in question,” he said. “To the extent that many advisers are continuously looking to improve both their business efficiency and their client engagement proposition, both awards play a pivotal role in shining a light on, and sharing, best practice insights.”
…these Awards provide an important opportunity to put the spotlight on the fantastic outcomes available to clients through receiving quality financial advice
Nominations are also being sought for the Female Excellence in Advice Award, sponsored by TAL since its inception 2011. The Award showcases women in financial advice who are making a significant contribution to their clients, the profession and the community.
Despite increased employment opportunities for women, AFA President, Deborah Kent, said their representation in financial advice remains low. “In recognising the talents and contributions of female financial advisers we hope to inspire more women to join the profession and promote the value of financial advice to the community,” she said of the Award.
Macquarie Graduate School of Management (MGSM) is offering this year’s AFA Female Excellence in Advice Award winner a full scholarship (valued at $10,000) to complete an Executive Education Development Program of their choice. All semi-finalists will have the opportunity to participate in a Leadership Master Class as part of the Award program.
The Rising Star of the Year Award is presented to an adviser who has been in practice for less than three years, celebrating the next generation of financial advisers. Last year’s winner was Ben Budge from My Wealth Solutions in Brisbane.
The Award was launched 11 years ago in conjunction with ING Australia, which later changed its name to OnePath, and is now presented under the ANZ Wealth brand.
ANZ Global Wealth’s Managing Director, Aligned and Open Market Channels, Neil Younger, said, the AFA Rising Star Award is the pre-eminent award for talented new advisers in the financial services industry. “As part of the judging process, it also offers an opportunity for nominees to meet with other really impressive up-and-coming advice professionals and learn from each other,” Mr Younger said.
AFA CEO, Brad Fox, who is a judge on all theAwards, said: “At a time when the reputation of financial advisers in the community is being challenged, these Awards provide an important opportunity to put the spotlight on the fantastic outcomes available to clients through receiving quality financial advice. Each award has its own unique criteria, giving the opportunity for both practices and individual advisers, who may be employees, to be awarded.”
The AFA Adviser Awards, including the AFA Excellence in Education Award, will be presented at the AFA’s National Adviser Conference, to be held in Cairns from 25-27 October 2015.
To nominate for the Awards, or for more information, click on the links below:
