Partner philosophy underscores Gopal’s victory

BDM of the Year 2014: Shivani Gopal, Asteron Life

A constant focus on the planner, and not the product, has won Shivani Gopal wide-scoping praise in the financial advice industry.  

It was also among the reasons she was crowned Money Management and Super Review’s BDM of the Year at this year’s Women in Financial Services Awards.  

The Asteron Life BDM has dedicated herself to tackling Australia’s underinsurance crisis, as a planner, a coach and most recently a sales manager.  

She said she has experienced first-hand the effects of an ill-prepared wealth management plan and has therefore committed the last 11 years to sharing her knowledge.  

Gopal also credits her experience as an ANZ financial planner for her understanding of how to thrive in a BDM role.  

Prior to working as a planner, Gopal got her grounding as a team advice coach at AMP.  

The judges felt she had a “clear understanding of their needs and concerns” of the planners she works with.  

“The combination of industry knowledge, planning experience and ability to be seen as a partner of financial advisers really makes her stand out,” one of the judges said.  

Gopal was joined in the BDM category by finalists Michelle Bannister, of La Trobe Financial, Donar Drover of ANZ Wealth and Kara Boden, of AMP Capital.  

The judges commended Drover’s support for clients, as well as Bannister’s “well deserved Mortgage and Finance Association of Australia recognition”, while labelling Boden “a great BDM”.  

FINALISTS  

Michelle Bannister  La Trobe Financial  

Donar Drover  ANZ Wealth 

Kara Boden  AMP Capital 

For full coverage of the awards and winners click here