Insto advisers jump ship to Dover

The groups of planners from CBA-aligned Financial Wisdom, Suncorp–aligned Guardian and from NAB have help Dover swell its adviser ranks from 151 advisers in 2014 to 237 in 2015 according to Dover.

Dover adviser relations manager Peter Thompson told ifa the institutional advisers joined the licensee to break away from the poor compliance and sales-driven culture of the institutions.

"I think they like the idea that we also don't have an interest in product," Mr Thompson said.

"It is also, [I think], that the dealer group doesn't retain any volume rebates, volume bonuses or have any special conflicted deals with wraps or insurers.

"We allow [advisers] freedom of choice that is within our licensing conditions," he said.

Mr Thompson added that Dover has plans to continue growing its adviser base, with the licensee setting a goal of 250 advisers by the end of 2015.

"Last year, we said let's try and aim for 180 advisers by the end of the year, and I think we got there," he said.

"This year, we said let's try and aim for 250 advisers by the end of the year and it looks like we are on track for that again.

"We are sort of working on those bite-sized goals at the moment and making sure that we are keeping a proper handle on the quality of advisers and doing the proper due diligence [before we bring them into the network]," Mr Thompson said.