Victorian practice joins Akumin amid recruitment push



Akumin has added a Victorian advice practice to its network, signalling a “focus on recruitment and growth” including by supporting single-adviser practices.
Akumin, the new name for AMP Financial Services following the acquisition by Entireti last year, said the addition signals a “focus to recruitment and growth”.
Victorian-based Pinnova Partners will join its Charter Financial Planning network, having been established last year to offer strategic advice spanning superannuation, investments and retirement planning, Centrelink and personal life insurance.
Prior to establishing Pinnova Partners, James Clough was a financial adviser at accounting and financial planning firm Mulcahy & Co.
Akumin chief executive, Matt Lawler, said: “Our size, scale and experience uniquely position us to partner with businesses of all sizes and support advisers at all stages of their career to achieve their ambitions.
“James is a highly qualified adviser who is passionate about delivering quality advice and growing his business. He represents the next generation of advice professionals and business leaders coming through, and we are excited to partner with him to build his business from the ground up.”
Clough added that he had been attracted to working with Akumin for their support offering and compliance framework.
“I wanted a partner who could provide a lot of support throughout the initial stages of our journey while also offering a very strong compliance framework. I’ve taken the plunge to start my own advice business, and I’m fortunate to have the backing of an established general insurance business that will provide a sound referral network, along with Akumin, which has demonstrated that they can deliver the services and support I need.”
Across the wider Entireti group, the firm is looking to grow adviser numbers by training and mentoring the next generation of advisers. This includes those individuals who are completing their professional year at established practices and those who are setting up their own firms.
According to Wealth Data, there are over 200 new entrants who have joined the Financial Advisers Register since the start of 2025. A significant number have joined since the March ASIC exam, which had a strong pass rate of 73 per cent.
“As a leading service provider to advice businesses, Entireti is committed to playing a leadership role in this area. Educating and training the next generation of advisers is very much in the DNA of Entireti, and particularly Akumin, and we want to continue that,” said Entireti chief executive Neil Younger.
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