MEDIA RELEASE: National dealer group Spark Financial has announced several new personnel changes, including the appointment of new advice and compliance coaches within its advisory and compliance team.
Damien Kirby and Tennille Catchpole have been appointed to the newly created role of advice and compliance coach in the southern region and northern region respectively. The role is intended to strengthen communication between the group’s 80 financial advisers and executive, as well as assisting with the delivery of client service and practice management.
Further, in recognition of the increased industry focus on governance, Spark Financial Group has also announced the expansion of Shane Isbester’s role within the group to head of professional standards and governance.
Under the expanded remit, Mr Isbester will focus on AFSL policy and governance, Quality of Advice Review response and integration, adviser onboarding, and the audit function.
Head of practice development, Cathy Kildea, will also take on the additional role of advice and compliance coach, serving newly recruited financial advice practices.
According to founder and CEO, Arthur Kallos, the appointments have been made at a critical juncture in both the growth trajectory of Spark Financial and the evolution of the financial advice sector.
“As Spark Financial continues to prioritise its mission of delivering quality advice to clients, the addition of Damien and Tennille to the team along with the expanded remits of Shane and Cathy, will be of great value to our adviser base and their clients.
“Ensuring we have the necessary guidance and coaching in place will go some way in setting up our advice practices amid an ever-changing regulatory environment.
“On behalf of the organisation, I would like to extend a warm congratulations to Damien, Tennille, Shane and Cathy, and look forward to seeing their contributions to Spark Financial,” he said.
All appointments are effective from July 2023.
The appointments follow Spark Financial’s recent announcement that it has transitioned to a profit-for-purpose operating model. The Group will be donating 100 per cent of its profits to nominated charity partners, which will improve financial literacy among young Australians.
The Spark Legacy Program will provide several mechanisms that allow its advisors to participate in several initiatives that positively impact their local communities and drive meaningful change, including those relating to financial hardship, financial abuse and mental health issues.
Under the profit-for-purpose model, the Spark Legacy Program agrees to support financial literacy and well-being through easy-to-understand products and services, and appropriate tools and resources to facilitate understanding and decision making about financial products and services.
Spark Financial Group commenced operating in 2018 with five authorised representatives. It currently supports 80 financial advisers within its network, who collectively manage over $1.5 billion in funds under management.
