Wealth manager appoints head of risk
Wealth management firm Altus Financial has appointed a head of risk as the business strengthens its provision of risk advice.
Alexandria Thomaschuetz joined the firm in March from Professional Wealth Services in Sydney where she worked for five years.
She brings over 20 years of experience to the firm, specialising in life insurance, total and permanent disability (TPD), trauma insurance and income protection, and also spent over a decade as a financial adviser.
Sydney-based Altus Financial is a multidisciplinary firm offering wealth management, superannuation, lending, accounting, and business advice. Founded 30 years ago, it acquired Goodwin Financial Services in 2021 to bolster its wealth management division and moved to its own AFSL.
According to Adviser Ratings’ 2025 Advice Landscape Report, new retail business for the risk sector is expected to reach $340 million by the end of 2025. It further detailed that 720 advice practices are planning to increase the amount of risk advice they write, which was a turnaround from previous surveys when they had indicated they would be writing less risk.
“Previously, those percentages were very, very low. In fact, people wanted to write less risk,” Adviser Ratings founder Angus Woods said.
Scott Young, managing director at Altus Financial, said: “Alexandria has a proven track record of achieving great client outcomes throughout her career. Alex’s experience in leading and building insurance advice teams aligns perfectly with our approach to serving private clients.”
Thomaschuetz said: “I’m thrilled to grow the Altus Financial risk offering within the welcoming and collaborative environment that has been established here. Providing clients with a full scope of financial services is incredibly valuable, and adding insurance specialisation is a fantastic step forward for the firm.”
Earlier this year, South Australian financial advice firm Calder Wealth Management (CWM) announced a strategic partnership with risk advice firm Life Insurance Planning Australia (LIPA).
Under the arrangement, CWM has taken a minority ownership stake in LIPA, although the two businesses will operate independently, and Darren Cheek will remain as LIPA’s managing director. With Cheek having worked in risk advice for over 35 years, the deal will also help with future succession planning at LIPA.
AUTHOR
Laura Dew
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