The Financial Services Council (FSC) is pleased to announce the appointment of four new directors to the FSC Board, two sourced from our funds management membership, and two sourced from a new, expanded membership cohort of financial advice businesses.
The new appointments include:
• Keith Cullen, Managing Director of WT Financial Group
• Neil Younger, Managing Director and Group CEO of Fortnum Financial Group
• Esther Kerr, CEO for Wealth and Capital Markets, Australian Unity
• Andrew Creber, CEO for Australia and New Zealand, J.P. Morgan Asset Management
Confirming the appointments, Chairman of the FSC, David Bryant, said: "The FSC is the leading voice in the superannuation, financial advice, investment platforms and funds management sectors.
"The appointment of four senior industry leaders to the FSC board brings new depth of expertise to the FSC board and will further strengthen our representation of the industry."
In addition to the appointments, the FSC has welcomed new financial advice businesses to its membership to deepen its engagement with the sector.
This new model of engagement will add the advice licensees' expertise to the FSC's policy development processes and comes at a critical time in the financial advice reform debate.
Advice licensees joining the FSC under this initiative include:
• Count Ltd
• Fortnum Private Wealth
• Infocus
• Otivo
• Rhombus Advisory Pty Ltd
• WT Financial Group
Commenting on the expansion of the FSC's membership, CEO of the FSC, Blake Briggs, said: "The financial services industry is at its strongest when it speaks with a unified voice on regulatory and policy issues that impact the sector and its consumers.
"The FSC has a leading role unifying the industry on reform initiatives, and I am pleased to have this opportunity to appoint directors from the financial advice sector to deepen our engagement and strengthen our advocacy on advice issues."
Commenting on his appointment, WT Financial Group's Keith Cullen said: "Delivering more affordable and accessible financial advice for Australian consumers is a priority for the FSC and the advice profession and I look forward to contributing to a strong, unified industry voice that ensures reform remains a priority for the Government."
Commenting on his appointment, Fortnum Financial Group's Neil Younger said: "At a pivotal time for the financial advice profession, I look forward to contributing the experience and insights of financial advisers and licensees to the FSC's policy development, to help deliver a more efficient regulatory framework for financial advisers and their clients."
The appointment of two new FSC directors from the funds management sector reflects the FSC's broad membership and representation of the industry.
Commenting on her appointment, Australian Unity's Esther Kerr said: "The FSC brings together an increasingly diverse set of businesses and perspectives from across the financial services industry, all focused on achieving sustainable, accessible and relevant products and services for our members. I am very pleased that my appointment provides the opportunity to share Australian Unity's experience to help deliver policies that enable the financial wellbeing of Australian consumers."
Commenting on his appointment, J.P. Morgan Asset Management's Andrew Creber said: "Australia's financial services sector is a significant contributor to the Australian economy, and I look forward to contributing to the important role the FSC plays shaping the national economic reform agenda."
