Elixir Consulting expands due to fee support demand

Practice development consultancy Elixir Consulting has seen such an increase in demand over the last year that it has expanded with the introduction of three new consultants.

Managing director Sue Viskovic said it had been a busy time as practices prepare for regulatory change and more go down the fee-for-service path. As such, she had recruited consultants Frank Rodrigues, Gary Jenkins and Natalie Sampson.

“There has been a huge demand for support because pricing is just the icing on the cake,” Viskovic said.

She added that more advisers were finding the fee-for-service process empowering, once they saw through the fear of the unknown and could look at their practice objectively.

Viskovic said the new appointments had enabled the company to tap into a greater network and draw on a broader depth of knowledge.

Sydney-based Rodrigues started out in the financial planning industry in 1971 and was one of the pioneers of the development of self-managed superannuation funds and fees for service. He sold his financial planning business in 2005, following which he provided his successor with business coaching.

Jenkins is based in Melbourne and has nearly 30 years experience in the industry. Having worked for Professional Investment Services, Timbercorp, Zurich and Lend Lease, he has experience in the areas of practice development, sales management and general management. Jenkins has been providing business coaching to small to medium practices for the last five years.

Sampson’s background is as an adviser, but she has spent the last five years training and coaching other advisers and support staff in product platforms and practice management implementation. She is also Melbourne-based.

Viskovic said Elixir is also looking to establish another consultant in Sydney, with two more in Perth and Brisbane.