Westpac seeks new dealer group head
By Craig Phillips
Westpacfinancial planning head Scott Walters has departed the group after less than a year in the role, with his responsibilities passing in the interim toBT Financial Grouphead of distribution and marketing, Rob Coombe.
Walters, who was responsible for launching and driving the group’s ongoing strategic review — Project Sunrise — leaves the group despite the full implementation of the project yet to be concluded.
“Project Sunrise remains a key priority for us and I am fully committed to, and focused on, its successful implementation over the coming months,” Coombe says in an internal memo circulated to Westpac advisers.
However, according to a group spokesperson, the departure is mutually exclusive to a recent restructure of the firm’s distribution and marketing operations, which has resulted in Coombe assuming an expanded portfolio to include distribution and marketing of the financial planning and advice network.
The group is actively seeking a replacement for Walters, who replaced the now executive general manager, financial planning and advice services at Commonwealth Bank, Brett Himbury, back in May 2003.
“I anticipate a new head of financial planning will be appointed shortly. In the interim, the FP&A dealer group will report directly to me,” Coombe says.
Recommended for you
The RBA assistant governor (business services) is set to speak at the Women in Finance Summit 2025, taking place this November.
Momentum Media’s wealth publishing network is pleased to announce the launch of the annual Australian Wealth Management Summit 2025.
Trustee and fund administration platform MSC Group has promoted Shelley Brown as its chief operations officer, having successfully completed the integration of the Certane Corporate Trust business.
Australian Unity’s group managing director and chief executive has announced his plans to retire at the end of the year after two decades leading the company.
