AFA creates new CEO role
The Association of Financial Advisers (AFA) has, for the first time in its history, created a role of chief executive officer, and appointed Richard Klipin, ING’s former head of distribution for boutique adviser groups, to the position.
Klipin will be tasked with raising the profile of the association, representing member’s interests to government, and growing the membership.
Klipin said: “As far as the membership is concerned, it’s really about rebuilding the proposition and ensuring it gets delivered . . . it’s about delivering member services.”
He added: “There’s a very strong role that we believe the AFA has got to play, but we’ve got to get our house very clearly in order, get the proposition clear, and get members.
“And once people see value, they will more than happily be members of the FPA [Financial Planning Association] for the certain things they can provide, the AFA, and if they are specialists in self-managed funds they may get into that association — whoever represents their broad interests or specific interests.”
AFA NSW director Brian Boggs said the search to find a chief executive officer had taken 12 months. “Richard has been appointed to implement both the business plan and the marketing plan, to take our association from where it is now to another level.”
He added: “We understand what the members are looking for, and the reason for that is that the association has always been run by active consultants if you like.
“Our board is made up of practising advisers, we don’t have salaried directors, and we certainly don’t have people from product manufacturers sitting on our board. So that’s the significant difference between us and the FPA for example.”
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