Zurich ramps up technical support to advisers

Zurich Financial Services Australiahas bolstered its technical services team with the appointment of two specialists in response to adviser demand for additional regulatory, technical and legislative services post-Financial Services Reform.

The group says the appointment of Nicholas Ovchinnikov and Julie Fox as technical analysts are a practical demonstration of its strategy to provide business solutions and services to assist advisers in managing and growing their practices.

Fox has over 12 years of experience in the financial services industry having previously worked as an associate adviser, an Australian equities research assistant, an investment research analyst, a technical specialist and most recently as the senior editor of superannuation materials with CCH Publishing.

“Julie brings to the role a wide variety of expertise, which will assist the technical services team at Zurich to provide comprehensive assistance to advisers,” Zurich technical services manager Sam Wall says.

Meanwhile Ovchinnikov has superannuation experience across compliance and associated superannuation and taxation issues, having most recently worked as the superannuation and technical support manager with independent boutique dealer group - Bailey Roberts Group.

“With a background of working with theATOandKPMG, Nicholas brings to the role great expertise in the field of superannuation and tax consulting, which will be of great value to advisers in the growing complexity of superannuation regulations,” Wall says.