CountPlus seeks name change at EGM

In an announcement to the ASX last week, CountPlus said it would hold an extraordinary general meeting on 4 May 2023 with the purpose of voting to change the group’s name.

The company has proposed a name change from CountPlus Limited to Count Limited, which it said would “align and capture the operations and value the company is creating now and in the future”.

In the announcement, CountPlus added: “The company believes the proposed name change Count Limited better reflects the nature of its operations as a whole and will facilitate improved understanding by the market of the company’s strategy.

“The name change, brand transformation and value proposition is to deliver on the ambition of a single strong, clear brand that differentiates the company and resonates with employees, investors, business partners, and clients.”

Shareholders are able to vote on the name change either in person or through a proxy at the extraordinary general meeting, or online prior to the meeting.

The move comes just weeks after entering an agreement to purchase advice licensee Affinia Financial Advisers from TAL, which on completion, will see CountPlus represent around 400 advisers and $16.8 billion in client funds under administration.

CountPlus chief executive Hugh Humphrey called the acquisition a strategic move that cements CountPlus as the leading advisory firm and a major player in the future of wealth management in Australia.

“The acquisition is terrific news for CountPlus investors and continues to evidence the disciplined execution of our growth strategy. It brings the scale that we have been pursuing in Wealth, and builds on our already stable base,” said Mr Humphrey.

In its half-year results, CountPlus reported a 13 per cent increase in Count Financial adviser numbers for the six months to 31 December 2022, with the addition of 31 net new advisers for a total of 279.

The firm also declared that its reported revenues rose by 8 per cent to $45.4 million and reported contribution rose 13 per cent to $23.6 million.

“CountPlus differentiates itself through its integrated accounting and wealth offering to clients. We are committed to supporting our firms with quality services propositions and have high-performance expectations on equity partnerships,” Mr Humphrey added.