AFA and Asteron Life Congratulate State Winners of 2013 AFA Excellence in Education Awards

SYDNEY - July 25, 2013 - PRLog -- The State winners of the Association of Financial Adviser’s (AFA) 2013 Excellence in Education Award (the Award) were announced today. The calibre of the winners reflects the high degree of adviser professionalism called (http://www.suncorpgroup.com.au/sites/default/files/pdf/news/MEDIA%20RELEASE_AFA%20Awards_Education%20the%20cornerstone%20of%20adviser%20professionalism_FINAL_01%2005%202013.pdf) for recently by award partner Asteron Life (http://www.asteronlife.com.au/).

Jordan Hawke, Asteron Life (http://www.asteronlife.com.au/) Executive General Manager, Adviser Distribution said Asteron Life is passionate about the advice industry and ensuring its future success.

“With more advisers of this standard, we can help educate consumers and regulators that advisers are well-educated professionals committed to investing in themselves and their businesses through life-long education,” Mr Hawke said.

“These advisers have set a benchmark for their peers by demonstrating that education is the cornerstone of adviser professionalism, and through their ability to provide high quality advice, they demonstrate value to their customers and increase consumer trust in the advice profession.”

Brad Fox, CEO of the AFA said the Award underscores the importance of continuing education for advisers, while also helping build trust and diversity in the industry and encouraging higher levels of professionalism.

“The AFA Excellence in Education Award is not only about recognising the achievement of the overall winner, but also about the achievements of the nominees,” he said. “Through this process, we are able to recognise the great efforts of a number of advisers who continually strive to become better advisers to their clients by undertaking additional education relevant to their advice.”

Mr Fox said the AFA is committed to recognising more talent within the industry and the Award is a vital stepping-stone in this process.

The State winners of the Award were chosen for their commitment to self-development through continuing education, and contributing to their industry and community by building businesses focused on providing exceptional financial advice and customer experience.

Candidates were judged on the quality of their written nomination. Judges then conducted phone interviews with shortlisted candidates. Candidates were also given a weighting across four award criteria, including:

·         50% on education

·         30% on practice

·         10% on contribution to one’s industry and community

The State Award winners were:

·         Tasmania - Duncan Forces, Wealth Protection Adviser, Collins SBA

·         South Australia - Craig Muchamore, Financial Planner & Paraplanner, Wealth Logic

·         Western Australia - Wayne Leggett, Director/Financial Adviser, Paramount Financial Services Group

·         New South Wales - Sam Kitchen, Senior Financial Adviser, William Buck

·         Victoria - Anne Graham, Managing Director/Financial Planner, McPhail HLG Financial Planning

·         Queensland - Sanja Ajzerle, Financial Planner, Astro Financial Planning

The Highly Commended Award winner was:

South Australia: Jawad Ahmad, Financial Adviser, Morgan Stanley

The winners were announced at the AFA’s National Roadshow (held from 16 to 18 and 23 to 25 July).

Asteron Life (http://www.asteronlife.com.au/) is the proud partner of the AFA’s Excellence in Education Awards for the sixth year running. To read more about Asteron Life’s partnership with the AFA Excellence Education Awards, visit: http://www.asteronlife.com.au/afaawards

Key Dates in AFA’s 2013 Excellence in Education Awards Program:

Nominations open

22 April 2013

Nominations close

24 May 2013

First Round Interviews

June 2013

State winners announced at the AFA National Forums

16-25 July 2013

A panel interview with State winners

Early September

The AFA Excellence in Education Award overall winner announced

13-15 October 2013

MEDIA CONTACTS

Helen Han, Suncorp Life Corporate Affairs (for Asteron Life)

0457 535 639

helen.han@suncorp.com.au

Julie Bennett, 64 Media (for AFA)

0407071121

Julie@64media.com.au

About Asteron Life: Asteron Life (http://www.asteronlife.com.au/) is a specialist provider of life insurance to financial advisers in Australia and New Zealand and is a part of the Suncorp Group. Asteron Life’s broad range of life insurance products has been designed to protect customers, their families and businesses against the financial impacts of death, sickness or injury. For further information, visit: www.Asteronlife.com.au