AFA CEO Resigns

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The Association of Financial Advisers has announced its CEO of the last four years, Phil Kewin, has resigned.

Kewin took over the reins at the AFA in March 2017 replacing previous incumbent, Brad Fox (see: AFA Names New CEO…).

A statement released by the association informs its members that as it “…gears up for a new wave of policy advocacy and regulatory reform, and after four years at the helm, Phil decided the time was right to hand the reins over to a new leader.”

Outgoing AFA CEO, Phil Kewin

Kewin’s time at the AFA has intersected with the Financial Services Royal Commission and its fallout, the implementation of the Life Insurance Framework reform legislation and the rollout of FASEA’s minimum education standards and the FASEA adviser exam, all of which have had a significant and lasting impact on the Australian financial advice sector.

The disruption caused to the advice industry courtesy of the Covid-19 pandemic has also played a significant role in the shaping of financial advice and advice practices during the last 12 months of Kewin’s tenure.

In thanking its outgoing CEO, a message from AFA President, Michael Nowak, acknowledges Kewin’s “…tireless and ongoing engagement with key stakeholders”, which he says has been instrumental across a range of issues including achieving the deadline extensions to the FASEA exam and degree equivalent requirements, as well as in facilitating the AFA’s collaboration with the FPA, FSC and other industry stakeholders, via forums such as the AFA/FPA Joint Associations Life Insurance Task Force and Choice and Access to Life Insurance (CALI).

AFA GM Policy Professionalism, Phil Anderson …stepping into Acting CEO role at the AFA

Nowak added “Phil has helped to advance the AFA’s reputation as an influential professional body, and we are fortunate that he leaves us with a larger member base and with enhanced relationships with the Government and regulators.”

Advisers have had no bigger advocate…

He also noted “Advisers have had no bigger advocate than Phil. His championing of adviser and member well-being was most significantly demonstrated by the establishment of AFA Care, which he initiated.

The AFA’s well-respected GM Policy and Professionalism, Phil Anderson, has been appointed as Acting CEO while the AFA Board conducts its search for Kewin’s permanent replacement.



1 COMMENT

  1. Sorry to see Phil leaving, as he is one of the few who seems to understand the seriousness of where the Advice Industry is heading around Life Insurance.

    He has always been an advocate for advisers, though he was probably restricted in what he would have liked to say, due to conflicting opinions and vested interests that has plaqued the Life Insurance Industry and forced the AFA into positions in the past, that may not have, in hindsight, been the best direction forward.

    Good luck Phil with your future plans, whatever they may be.

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