Senior management reshuffle at Centrepoint Alliance

Centrepoint Alliance has made four appointments across its marketing, research, practice development and risk areas. 

Neil Rogan joined the group as the head of distribution strategy and marketing, while Theodore Hatsis has been appointed as head of research.  

David Spiteri rejoined the group as national manager, while Simon Backman has been appointed as regional manager for Queensland and northern New South Wales for Professional Investment Services (PIS). 

The senior management reshuffle comes as the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) announced last year PIS would be monitored on compliance for nine months, following the end of the 2010 enforceable undertaking ASIC accepted from PIS. 

ASIC announced the program in a bid to test compliance of PIS’ personal advice with regulatory requirements, its ability to recognise poor advice and the effectiveness of its advice audit and pre-vet functions. 

Centrepoint Alliance appointed PriceWaterhouseCoopers as the independent expert for the monitoring program. 

Centrepoint also made a series of new appointments, and redesigned its compliance processes, training and governance. 

Hatsis will be monitoring ASIC announcements and legislation affecting products, and managing approved product lists and provision of product advice. 

“A key focal point for research will also be to provide assistance in the form of education and bespoke portfolio construction assistance to our advisers,” Centrepoint managing director John de Zwart said. 

Backman has been with PIS since 2010, joining the team as practice consultant. Rogan’s objective in his role is to develop Centrepoint’s services to help in growing practices. 

“This will be facilitated through various marketing initiatives, sales campaigns, lead generation and cross-sell activities supported by practice coaching,” de Zwart said. 

Spiteri will be responsible for building the group’s risk specialist capabilities.