The announcement of Sam Perera as the new AFA President is the Riskinfo Story of the Week.
Perera’s appointment, together with that of a new Vice President and other board changes, coupled with the recent commencement of new AFA CEO, Helen Morgan-Banda, delivers a refreshed senior leadership group at the association as it continues its endeavours to serve its members and advocate for the value of financial advice for consumers…
The Association of Financial Advisers has announced that Sam Perera has been appointed as National President.
A statement from the association says Perera’s appointment follows a decision by National President Michael Nowak to resign after many years of contribution to the AFA Board as a board member and President.
Treasurer, Matthew Hawkins, also announced his resignation after seven years on the Board.
Perera offered his “heartfelt thanks” to Nowak and Hawkins who, he says, have been long-serving members of the AFA Board – Nowak has served for nine years, three of those as President, and Hawkins for seven years, a year as Treasurer.
Perera says the past few years have seen enormous pressures placed on advisers and the AFA, which represents them and advocates on their behalf.
He added that Nowak “…has been an outstanding President of the AFA, tireless in his advocacy on behalf of the AFA as the Royal Commission reforms have continued unabated and the Covid-19 pandemic created major operational challenges for the AFA and our members.”
He says as Vice President, he had a “…unique insight into how the passion and absolute commitment Mike has for the AFA translated into a huge workload as President on top of his family and business commitments.”
…The AFA Board fully supports Nowak’s decision to share the load…
Perera says the Board fully supports Nowak’s decision to “…share the load and allow somebody else to take on the presidential responsibilities.”
He also acknowledged the contribution made by Hawkins, saying he “… also has significant work and family commitments and it’s time for somebody else to take on this significant role to allow him to focus on his other commitments.”
At a Board meeting following the AGM, the other appointments made were:
- Michelle Veitch, Vice President
- Samantha Robinson, Treasurer
The AFA’s new president has been a member of the AFA Board for two years, one as Treasurer and one as Vice President. All appointments are effective immediately.
The statement notes that the appointment of Perera as President, Veitch as Vice President and Robinson as Treasurer are decisions of the Board to fill casual vacancies until the next AGM in 2022.
The AFA Board is now:
- President – Sam Perera
- Vice President – Michelle Veitch
- Treasurer – Samantha Robinson
- NSW/ACT – Katherine Hayes
- VIC – Vacant
- QLD – Patricia Garcia
- SA/NT – Jawad Ahmad
- WA – Stephen Knight
- TAS – Vacant
- Shaun McDonagh (Independent Director)
AFA CEO Helen Morgan-Banda thanked Nowak and Hawkins on behalf of the AFA’s HQ team, saying Nowak has been an “inspirational leader” for the AFA, and thanked both men for supporting her and the team during a period of challenge and change.
Congratulations to Sam Pereira in being appointed the incoming new AFA President. Sam’s involvement in the PJC enquiry and other political discussions with industry bureaucrats on behalf of the AFA have been recognized, and rightly so. Sam and Phil Anderson have been wonderful very focused advocates for the AFA membership. With the incoming new AFA CEO Helen Morgan-Banda, the departure of the FSC CEO, and two new incoming AFA Board members Michelle Veitch and Samantha Robinson, we are entering a new regime. I wish them all well and thank them for their volunteerism. Sincere thanks to outgoing President Michael Novak after two stints as President, an outstanding sacrifice and effort, and also to outgoing treasurer Matthew Hawkins for his 7 years on the AFA Board.
Sam is very dedicated and a tireless advocate for Advisers.
He runs his own Business and has spent countless hours trying to highlight to the Government and Regulators, the inconsistencies in the maze of complexity that is the current Regulatory environment we live in today.
Michael has done the same, just as many others over the years, for what can be a very frustrating time, seemingly banging your head against a door, time and again.
Good luck to everyone and let us hope 2022 will bring some relief.
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