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
Recommended for you
The RBA has made its latest interest rate decision at the the final monetary policy meeting of 2025.
State Street is actively seeking to launch ETFs in the Australian government, corporate and high yield bond space next year in order to capitalise on the phase-out of AT1 hybrids.
Greater consistency across the ASIC adviser exam has helped boost the number of first-time candidates this year with many opting to sit before undertaking a Professional Year.
Financial advice practice Eureka Whittaker Macnaught is in the process of acquiring three firms to boost its annual revenue to $25 million.
