DKN restructures post integration

By Craig Phillips

Listed financial services group DKNFinancial has restructured a number of senior roles to address the imminent departure of its dealership head and drive the business forward after completing the integration of its advice arm into its new group structure.

Former Zurich Financial ServicesAustralia manager distribution services Chris Lack has joined to head up DKN’s dealer solutions division and replaces Murray Hills, who has resigned and departs on February 18 after five years.

The firm’s Queensland state manager, Bill Crawford, has also been appointed national business manager and takes on some of the responsibilities that had been held by Hills, including the day-to-day running of DKN’s dealer group.

Crawford, along with Victorian state manager Colin Scott and national compliance manager Vas Nikola, now has ongoing management responsibility for the 100-plus advisers in the dealer group. Crawford has also been given the specific responsibility of monitoring service delivery levels to the planners.

DKN chief operating officer Phil Butterworth said with the integration of the adviser channel into the broader group structure now bedded down, the firm would be concentrating on raising its service levels to advisers this year.

“We’re really looking to help existing advisers grow their businesses and also structure what we have to offer, so that we attract a couple of quality practices into the dealer group as well,” Butterworth said.