TISLife, a Rockhampton-based advisory business specialising in delivering insurance advice, is the latest addition to Count Limited’s national advice community.
Serving clients in Queensland since 2015, the firm attributed cultural alignment in its decision to partner with Count.
TISLife managing director, Andrew Thackeray, said: “I didn’t agree with some of the decisions made by my previous licensee, so I went about speaking to four or five alternatives in the market. Then, an associate of mine suggested I speak to Tanya Woolnough (Count’s practice development manager in Queensland). From there, we had a really positive conversation and I was comfortable that Count’s values aligned with mine, which made the decision easy.”
Since committing to further M&A to boost its advisory model in late 2022, Count has seen a number of firms join its national network and has been expanding its presence in super, accounting and risk advice.
Earlier this year, it welcomed over 100 advisers to its national community with the acquisition of Affinia from TAL. The combined business would have 400 advisers and $17 billion in client funds under administration, representing 3,500 clients.
Last month, two leading advisory firms in South Australia, Crosby Dalwood and Warnecke & Co, merged and were rebranded as Count Adelaide. Combined, they have more than 70 years of experience in accounting and wealth advisory services.
TISLife is expected to bolster Count’s advice capabilities in insurance, with Thackeray stating that everyone has a need for such services.
He said: “You never know what’s around the corner, so it’s our job to provide the right recommendations based on the client’s unique circumstances.”
He added that the most rewarding part of his role is seeing clients benefit from tailored advice when they need it the most.
“We have seen situations when clients wanted to cancel or modify their policies because they didn’t see the value. That’s where my understanding of their situation and their needs comes to light, to explain the benefits of different types of cover and give them a dynamic perspective they hadn’t previously considered,” Thackeray said.
