Sentry names winners of internal awards

The annual awards are intended to recognise “outstanding performance” within the Sentry network, the dealer group said in a statement.

Queensland-based Wealth Connexion was named Practice of the Year for 2017, with Foundation Planning Services principal Keith Sheppard taking out Adviser of the Year.

Sentry chief executive and chair Murray Hills said the awards were given to those who had not just delivered best practice advice, but also built “solid advice businesses with high client satisfaction”.

“The Practice of the Year, Wealth Connexion in Queensland, demonstrated outstanding client service, best-practice professional development of advisers and staff, and an efficient, productive and profitable business. Their practice is an outstanding example within the profession,” Mr Hills said.

“Our outstanding Adviser was Keith Sheppard, whose practice Financial Planning Solutions Australia is based in Perth. Keith has more than 30 years’ industry service specialising in investment advice for high net worth clients and institutions.”

Other award recipients included YV Financial Services’ Les King, who was named Senior Adviser of the Year, Byfields Wealth Management’s Matthew Yates, who took out Rising Star of the Year, and Lifecover Australia, which won Life Practice of the Year.

Regional Practice of the Year went to AdviceOne Financial Services for Queensland, PMM Wealth Advisors (who took top honours as Practice of the Year in 2016) for Western Australia, and YV Financial Services for Victoria, South Australia, and Tasmania.