Having entered the financial services industry at virtually the same time that Money Management began publishing, Stephen van Eyk is a most appropriate recipient of the Money Management/Count Financial Lifetime Achievement Award for 2013.
While van Eyk is best known for having founded the research house that still bears his name, van Eyk Research, Stephen's leadership in the financial services industry runs much deeper than that, and those who know him recognise not only a great analytical leader and mentor but also a great supporter of the industries' charities.
van Eyk is currently a patron of the Emerge Foundation and has given freely of his time with respect to the charitable endeavours of other industry leaders such as Chris Cuff's Third Link.
While van Eyk left the helm of van Eyk Research in 2009, that was never going to spell the end of his industry involvement. Indeed, he spent the period immediately after his departure focusing on supporting charities and following his personal interests, before in the past 18 months more directly engaging in a number of consultancies and other projects. Those who know him, know that van Eyk has a passion for horse racing and ownership.
van Eyk's entry into the financial services industry in 1987 after a 20-year career in economics coincided with the introduction of the award superannuation regime, which preceded the superannuation guarantee and the consequent rise and rise of the Australian funds management industry. His first job was as a research analyst with Godfrey Weston.
Within three years he had made the move to establish his own research presence. Acknowledging that standard of research available to the market at the time was less than optimal, he joined with James Purvis to form Purvis van Eyk in 1990.
Five years later, Purvis van Eyk became van Eyk Research – the company which, under his stewardship, grew to become a market leader and service provider to major dealer groups such as Count Financial.
van Eyk has, over the years, been a consistent inclusion on Money Management's ‘Top 10 Most Influential list'.
The judging panel regards Stephen as a most worthy recipient of the 2013 Money Management/Count Financial Lifetime Achievement Award for 2013.
Commenting on award, Count Financial chief executive and judging panelist David Lane said: "Count is very pleased to be able to be associated with the Lifetime Achievement Award. Stephen van Eyk has been a trailblazer within the industry, setting an example both from a business as well as charitable perspective for the next generation of leaders. The award is well deserved."
