AFA inspires on gender issue

The ‘Inspire’ project is designed to connect females from across the financial advice industry by offering support for career development through female-focused events, as well networking, coaching, mentoring and leadership initiatives.

AFA chief executive Brad Fox told ifa that there is no good reason for the underrepresentation of women in the marketplace.

“It’s something we need to seek change in,” Fox said. “When advisers are sitting with families making long-term financial decisions, the female plays an incredibly strong role in terms of what advice should be taken.

“We need to recognise that at all levels and the Inspire initiative is there for support.”

Fox added that Inspire is for all women who are involved in bringing financial advice to Australian consumers, including financial planners, para-planners and support staff.

“This initiative is about taking awareness to a whole new level,” he said. “We want to inspire women in advice roles and women right through all levels of financial advice, from university graduates through to those in management positions,” he said.

The AFA Inspire LinkedIn group has already attracted more than 200 members.