Aust Unity adds senior risk specialist

Australian Unity Personal Financial Services (AUPFS) has appointed Mark Oliver as national manager for risk insurance, a move AUPFS general manager Steve Davis said signalled the group’s intention to rapidly grow its accountants’ alliance business.

Davis said about 130 accounting firms currently had a relationship with AUPFS, many of whom referred clients for specialist financial advice — and Oliver’s appointment would help to drive growth in that number.

“Most accountants see risk insurance advice as an essential service for their clients because it provides immediate peace of mind for the clients as well as good revenue flows for the accountancy practice, whether they write the business themselves or refer it to our financial advisers as most of them do,” he said.

“Oliver will oversee every aspect of our risk insurance business, including refining the risk insurance Approved Product List, improving Statements of Advice, sales training, training in field underwriting, working with underwriters and selection of life insurance and business insurance products,” Davis said.

Davis added that Oliver would also help develop new Centres of Influence, deepen existing referral relationships with accountants, and help AUFPS financial advisers better understand risk insurance and promote it to referring accountants.

Oliver said he was attracted to AUFPS because of the offering to accountants that allowed them to provide services in-house or through referral to an AUFPS specialist, allowing accountants to retain their independence while offering a wide range of services.