The FPA and the AFA have legally completed their merger to form the Financial Advice Association Australia and have confirmed the board directors of the new association, along with its new logo.
A statement from the new association says that from 3 April 2023, FPA and AFA staff come together as a single team in one office, and activity will begin to be undertaken under the FAAA name.
The association has also unveiled its new logo “…created following extensive member consultation,” with the logo and new branding rolled out during April.
It says that “…central to the new logo design are the three ‘a’s of the name represented as three speech bubbles, to symbolise its voice in dialogue with key stakeholders.”
The FAAA says while FPA members will start to see a transition to the new FAAA branding over coming weeks, the AFA will continue to operate under its own brand until 30 June, when those members who renew will move to the FAAA.
David Sharpe will be the chair of the FAAA and Michelle Veitch (the AFA’s vice-president) has been appointed as deputy chair.
The FPA directors who will serve on the FAAA board are:
- David Sharpe – chair
- Diana D’Ambra
- Kearsten James
- William Johns
- Jade Khao
- Julie Matheson
- Angela Martyn
- Julian Place
The nominated AFA directors who will serve on the FAAA board are:
- Michelle Veitch – deputy chair
- Katherine Hayes
- Patricia Garcia
- Shaun McDonagh
AFA national president Sam Perera, who will not be joining the new board, says he is proud to have played a part in bringing together the two associations.
He has decided to refocus his time toward his family, staff and practice “…who have been patient with my absence whilst I served on the AFA board. I will remain an active member of the FAAA and continue to contribute in the areas of policy and advocacy.”.
Perera will remain the president of the AFA and an AFA Board member until the AFA is wound up.
Sharpe paid tribute to Perera’s time on the AFA board, thanking him for his work as the AFA national president “…and his deep commitment to bringing our two associations together.”
He also thanked the other AFA directors “…who have worked so hard to make this merger a reality.”
Sharpe also acknowledged Marisa Broome who, as immediate past chair of the FPA, “…was deeply involved in the early stages of talks and integral to the ultimate success of our merger.”
“On behalf of the board of the FAAA, I would also like to extend our gratitude to all staff who have worked so hard to get us to this point.”
Sharpe added that the new board represents a unified voice for the financial advice profession, adding it was now “..in a strong position to start our work as a merged association, advocating on behalf of members.”
Veitch says the formation of the FAAA represents a new chapter in the financial advice profession and urged all members to renew with the new association.
“The FAAA will speak with one strong voice for the vast majority of financial advisers in the Australian market, as we work towards ensuring better outcomes for advice practices and their clients.”
FPA and AFA membership renewals will kick off in May, with all branding, website and membership activity due to be fully transitioned to the FAAA branding by 30 June.
Click here for more information about the FAAA directors.
Congratulations to the AFA and the FPA for finally completing the merger which for many of us older advisers was long overdue. This is a paradigm shift which means many things may need to be reset, but with the experience on the Board our Vision will be recreated with new vigor. I wish you every success.
Godfrey Phillips. OAM
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