Ignition advice names new chair

Ignition Advice has announced the appointment of Sally Loane as its new chair, following Peter Meurer’s departure, effective from 5 June 2023.

Ms Loane joins the firm as an experienced chair and non-executive director, having also served as chief executive officer of the Financial Services Council between 2014 and 2021.

Currently, she is chair of Destination NSW and a non-executive director of Chubb Insurance Australia, Pankind, and the Garvan Research Foundation.

Ms Loane is also a member of the advisory board of consulting firm Orizontas and a mentor with McCarthy Mentoring.

Moreover, her former board roles include Venues NSW and SCEGGS Darlinghurst, and was the first female director of Waratahs Rugby in its 135-year history.

Mr Meurer, who will be working with Ms Loane during the transition period, said he is delighted to welcome his successor.

“Sally brings proven leadership, including as a chair, and a wealth of industry expertise to the Ignition board from her many years leading a financial services organisation, together with deep knowledge of media and corporate affairs,” Mr Meurer said.

“Her experience in policy development and advocacy, specifically in the wealth sector and with a wide range of stakeholders, will be particularly valuable to our business.

“The Ignition team will benefit from Sally’s broad experience over this significant next phase of global growth for the company,” he continued.

Ignition co-founder and board director Mark Fordree paid tribute to Mr Meurer, noting that under his stewardship, Ignition has partnered with a number of leading global financial firms, piloted three capital raises, and has been recognised through several global industry awards.

“I thank Peter for his dedication and leadership and wish him all the very best in his future endeavours.

Speaking on Ms Loane’s appointment, Mr Fordree added: “As we enter the next phase of our growth, we look forward to drawing on Sally’s significant board and industry experience and her aspiration to fulfil our growth ambitions in enabling large financial institutions to dramatically scale their advice propositions to close the advice gap and make advice accessible to all.”

Moreover, Ms Loane said she is looking forward to working with the Ignition’s board, executive, and people at a “pivotal” time for the digital transformation of the advice industry globally.

“I am a long-time advocate for all Australians to be financially literate and financially independent, particularly women, who retire with less superannuation than men, and who are still subject to a gender pay gap,” she commented.

“Simplified regulation and innovation through digital tools, while maintaining important consumer safeguards, will be crucial to improving affordability and access to financial advice.

“There has never been a more important time for the government and industry to support the transformation of advice provision,” Ms Loane concluded.