Guardian partners with AFA
Suncorp-owned dealer group Guardian Financial Planning has formed a partnership with the Association of Financial Advisers (AFA), joining the AFA’s Licensee Partnership Program.
Guardian was previously a principal member of the Financial Planning Association, but has cancelled its membership following the FPA’s recent changes, which allowed only individual financial planners the right to vote.
Guardian executive manager Simon Harris (pictured) said the dealer group was still working with the FPA in the same capacity as with the AFA.
“We just thought that it was the right time to join the AFA, there is obviously significant regulatory change and I don’t think it hurts to have our voice heard in a number of different ways,” Harris said.
“Our partnership with the AFA gives our advisers a stronger voice in the current dynamic and changing regulatory environment,” he added.
Guardian stated the partnership would give the dealer group representation before the Government and regulators on policy issues, the opportunity to work with advisers around the country, and reduced membership fees for Guardian advisers.
The partnership will also ensure that Guardian works collaboratively with the AFA’s Licensee Working Group, Harris said.
Recommended for you
With the final tally for FY25 now confirmed, how many advisers left during the financial year and how does it compare to the previous year?
HUB24 has appointed Matt Willis from Vanguard as an executive general manager of platform growth to strengthen the platform’s relationships with industry stakeholders.
Investment manager Drummond Capital Partners has announced a raft of adviser-focused updates, including a practice growth division, relaunched manager research capabilities, and a passive model portfolio suite.
When it comes to M&A activity, the share of financial buyers such as private equity firms in Australia fell from 67 per cent to 12 per cent in the last financial year.
