AFA announces award finalists

The winners of the Australian Association of Advisers Awards will be announced at the annual conference later this month, held this year in Adelaide.

The big gong, for Adviser of the Year, which will be presented by Zurich recognises the leaders in the profession said AFA chief executive Philip Kewin.

“The finalists for this year's award have proven themselves to be true leaders of our profession,” said Mr Kewin.

The finalists for the awards are Simone Du Chesne from EQWealth, Joseph Hoe from Wealthwise and Elliot Watson from Elliot Watson Financial Planning.

The award is supported by Zurich whose chief distribution officer for life and investments Kristine Brooks said that this year’s finalists had handled all the changes the advice landscape had thrown at them this year.

"In today’s landscape the ability to demonstrate the value that quality financial advice can play in shaping and protecting the lives of Australian families has never been more important. Their leadership and ideologies can forge a path forward for their peers, as we embark on a united journey toward professional standards,” she said.

Together with ANZ’s OnePath, AFA also announced the six finalists for the Rising Star Award which champions those rising up through the ranks.

“The award celebrates their commitment, talent and achievements, while also helping them develop personally and professionally in the company of the industry's best new advisers,” said Mr Kewin.

Other awards at the AFA Conference include the Excellence in Education Award and the Female Excellence in Advice Award.

The Female Excellence in Advice Award has been run for the past nine years sponsored by TAL and aims to promote financial advice for females.

"The aim of the award is two-fold. The first is to encourage more women to enter the industry and take on senior roles. The other equally important aim, is to encourage more women to seek advice so that they can be adequately resourced for retirement and obtaining insurance,” said Mr Kewin.

Eliot Hastie

Eliot Hastie is a journalist at Momentum Media, writing primarily for its wealth and financial services platforms. 

Eliot joined the team in 2018 having previously written on Real Estate Business with Momentum Media as well.

Eliot graduated from the University of Westminster, UK with a Bachelor of Arts (Journalism).

You can email him on: [email protected]