Asteron and the Association of Financial Advisers (AFA) have announced the state winners of the Excellence in Education Awards for 2011.
The AFA says the awards recognise independent financial advisers who undertake the challenge of acquiring knowledge and applying this knowledge to their business, clients, industry and community.
The state award winners are:
- Dr. Jim Taggart OAM, Managing Director, Taggart Nominees (NSW)
- Kyle Thompson, Financial Planner, AON (QLD)
- Shaun Hunt, Financial Planner, Genesys Wealth Advisers (SA)
- Matthew Hawkins, Financial Planner, Financial Services Partners (TAS)
- Finn Kelly, Practice Owner, Synchron (VIC)
- Brian Woods, Director, Garvan (WA)
The winners were announced in each state during the AFA’s National Roadshow. Speaking at the Sydney event, AFA Vice President and Education Committee Chair, Adam Smith, said the adviser of the future will have a thirst for learning.
“They’re all going to be highly qualified, technically proficient, a perceived professional,” he said. He added that for education to be truly valuable, it needs to be transferred to clients.
It’s not just about what you learn, it’s how you use it
“This industry is not about how many letters you can get after your name. This industry is about: ‘How do I transfer the complex to make it simple?’, ‘How do I transfer knowledged to my clients to make a difference?’
“It’s not just about what you learn, it’s how you use it,” Mr Smith said.
As a sponsor of the awards for the past four years, Asteron Executive General Manager, Jordan Hawke, said the insurer was passionate about ensuring the industry’s future success.
“We are partnering with the AFA and getting behind advisers through these awards, because we believe that lifting our professional standards is the key to helping advisers provide more Australians with quality advice.
“Asteron wants the advice industry to be recognised as a profession. The combination of experience and professional education is a necessity for advice professionals, in order for them to offer clients quality advice and build trusted relationships,” he said.
