On Thursday (9 December), the association announced that current COO of HOPE Housing Funds Management, Sarah Abood, will take over from mid-January.
Ms Abood has over 25 years’ experience in the financial services industry and, prior to her role at HOPE, she worked as CEO of privately owned and self-licensed financial planning firm, Profile Financial Services, for nine years.
“Sarah impressed the board with her deep understanding of the financial planning profession, and the demands of running a financial planning practice, gained from her nine years as CEO of Profile Financial Services,” FPA chair Marisa Broome said.
“She is also very passionate about the financial planning profession and how it has transformed itself in recent times.
“As the CEO of the FPA, Ms Abood will build upon the strong legacy of Dante De Gori to further develop services and support for members and the financial planners of the future.”
Ms Abood said she is joining the FPA at a crucial time for the industry as it emerges from the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The FPA is the largest professional association for financial planners and has a strong track-record and heritage in supporting their needs. It is strongly positioned to continue supporting its members, and the financial planning profession as a whole, as it enters 2022,” she said.
“I am impressed by the FPA’s vision for the future of financial planning as a vibrant and integral part of Australia’s prosperity, and look forward to playing my part in achieving this.”
The appointment comes after Mr De Gori announced his decision to step down in July, following a six-year stint as CEO and 12 years with the FPA.
“Dante’s contribution and advocacy during a period of great change and upheaval has been instrumental in helping develop recognition for financial planning as a profession,” Ms Broome said.
“He will leave a lasting positive legacy at the FPA, and we wish him all the best for his future plans.”
I hope the new CEO takes a different direction and actively promotes and pursues the growth and benefit of the industry and the members. After reviewing the value I got from FPA I used my financial knowledge to invest in an association with MY interests at heart and not the proliferation of benefits to a select group of insiders. It is very difficult to see how the FPS has benefited members (or the wider industry) over the last 5 years.
Dante’s legacy will be one of mishap and mayhem. Glad to see somebody with Financial Planning practical experience take on the role and be an advocate for all Financial Planners and the Industry.
Yes, Dante and Ben have overseen one of the best most ineffectual period’s in FPA history. Hopefully the new CEO actually focuses on relevant issues and practical application of the same instead of the recent self serving gluttony. I would like to rejoin but can’t endorse this current fat cat approach
Well Done Sarah. We look forward to you continuing the legacy left by Dante.
What, less Financial Planners and more product providers delivering advice directly to members – no conflict there?
First thing she can do is cut the fat that has built up over the last few years, and go back to focusing on core objectives – trying to make our life easier. Key people are needed in senior positions and its extremely obvious that the current ones see it as a cushy job rather than trying to actually achieve anything.
Good luck……….