The Association of Financial Advisers (AFA) has wrapped up its National Adviser Conference by naming NSW adviser Darren Johns, of Align Financial, as the 2016 AFA Adviser of the Year.
Johns, who is based on Sydney’s northern beaches, received his Award at the traditional gala dinner marking the end of this year’s AFA National Adviser Conference in Canberra.
The AFA stated that Johns was chosen for the award ahead of finalists Jason Peterson, 5 Financial and Gary Spencer, Spencer Private Wealth, because “…of the combination of his exceptional client relationships coupled with his demonstration to clients that they can achieve well-being, financial security, and lifestyle outcomes whilst still working, and he lives that through his own family, work and life choices”.
AFA Chief Executive, Brad Fox said both Johns, and AFA Practice of the Year winner, Henderson Maxwell from Sydney, “…are outstanding examples of the high caliber and professionalism of AFA award winners”.
“The judging process for the AFA Adviser of the Year and the AFA Practice of the Year Awards is deliberately rigorous,” Fox said.
“We have to be convinced that the winners are genuinely outstanding on a number of fronts. Therefore, the judging panel evaluates the finalists on client responses to our in-depth client survey, their advice documents and processes, the interviews we have with their staff, and the opinion we form after an onsite visit to their practice. The final stage is their face-to-face presentation to the seven-member judging panel. Without a shadow of a doubt, each of these finalists has earned the right to be recognised as being at the top of our profession.”
The AFA Adviser of the Year Award is now in its fourteenth year and is a joint initiative between the AFA and Zurich, which is also a supporter of the AFA Practice of the Year Award, which is now in its third year.
Previous winners of the AFA Adviser of the Year Award, sponsored by Zurich since its inception in 2003, are:
2015 – David Reed, NSW
2014 – Eleanor Dartnall, NSW
2013 – Jenny Brown, Vic
2012 – Olivia Maragna, Qld
2011 – Troy MacMillan, WA
2010 – Steve Salvia, WA
2009 – Graham Campbell, Qld
2008 – Paul Daily, Qld and Adam Smith, WA
2007 – Philip Young, NSW
2006 – Troy Edmondson, Qld
2005 – Jim Taggart, NSW
2004 – Brian Boggs, NSW
2003 – Bernie Toohey, Vic
Zurich Life and Investments Chief Executive, Tim Bailey said the Awards continued to highlight best practice in advice combined with positive customer outcomes.
“Advisers can and do make a profound, positive difference in the lives of everyday Australians,” he said.
“These Awards, which Zurich has supported since launch, are an important opportunity to identify, shine a spotlight on, and share best practice within the profession. This year’s winners are testament to the way advisers are constantly innovating in order to improve both the customer experience – and the accessibility – of quality financial advice,” Bailey said.
