Giles Wade expands WA team with office opening

Giles Wade — a boutique strategic, investment and tax advisory firm — has opened in Western Australia (WA) to serve the state’s growing HNW market.

WA-based clients, not including not-for-profit organisations, had previously been serviced by Melbourne-based team members.

Moreover, Ms McDonald steps into the position with over 25 years of investment experience and 18 years in financial literacy education roles.

Ms McDonald is a certified financial planner (CFP) and was most recently a private client adviser and director with Boutique Advisers Private Wealth.

Giles Wade’s CEO Liza Janakievski commented: “Katie’s appointment and the opening of our new Perth office provide us with a strong platform to deliver strategic advice to high-net-worth and not-for-profit clients in the dynamic, expanding Western Australian market.

“Katie brings unique knowledge and expertise to her role, along with a passion for financial literacy and education.

“We have some exciting plans to roll out in WA over the coming year and look forward to seeing what we, and our clients, can achieve,” Ms Janakievski concluded.

Commenting on her appointment, Ms McDonald expressed her excitement to “join an energetic, vibrant business led by strong women, with Liza as CEO and Evergreen’s Angela Ashton as chair of the investment committee”.

“Strong female role models in financial advice are important; the gender pay gap, along with lower average superannuation balance and structural trends that result in men generally being financially better off than women, are issues that concern me,” she explained.

“As a wealth adviser, I believe it’s important to educate; I frequently present at events or run workshops relating to women and finances.”

Ms McDonald sits on the committees of 100 Women and the Financial Planning Association for Women WA, additionally volunteering as a mentor at the University of Western Australia.

Giles Wade holds its own AFS License and Tax Agent License, offering a range of specialist areas to deliver end-to-end services for clients.