Helen Morgan-Banda, who most recently worked as CEO of the Law Society of New Zealand and CEO of the Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners, will commence her role with the AFA from 2 August.
“Over the course of her career, Helen has managed significant disruption, akin to that currently being experienced by financial advisers,” AFA national president, Michael Nowak, said.
“She has demonstrated a deep understanding of the issues being faced by our members and the broader industry and we believe she is the right person to lead us into the future.”
Ms Morgan-Banda will take over from Phil Anderson who has worked as acting CEO for the past six months.
“Phil has essentially performed two demanding roles while we were engaged in the search for a new CEO,” Mr Nowak said.
“Phil remains an integral part of the AFA’s senior leadership team and will continue to play a vital role consulting with regulators, government and other industry bodies on behalf of our members.”
This is a very interesting hire. Helen certainly knows how a profession SHOULD operate. I thought the FPA is the future but if she can make the AFA into a professional organisation without the FPA’s CFP and professional practice baggage then I am all for it.
Unlike the Financial Plann*ing* Association, the AFA is already the Association of Financial *Advisers”.
Maybe I should switch membership to the AFA.
In regards to the “Financial Planning Association” why would support a body that represents AwareSuper, HestaSuper or the Barefoot investor and an actual Adviser as all equals. I’m with you I hope this change represents a new direction in advice advocacy.
It’s worse than that, the body would receive significantly more money from the likes of AwareSuper and would therefore be representing them well ahead of any adviser.
I’ve got to say that I have been critical of the AFA, but Phil Anderson has been doing a very good job since he has been acting CEO.
With Dante leaving the FPA, Helen sounds like exactly the sort of person the FPA needs to put an end to all its dubious corporate relationships and turn it into a genuine professional association.
Perhaps it’s time to merge AFA and FPA, so Helen can fix those problems as CEO of the joint organisation?
Would the members agree to a merger, if so its just a vote away. As a member of the afa I would vote yes as its a waste of resources having two so called peak bodies
Yes to AFA takeover of FPA but no to a merger too many issues and puppets in the FPA…
Sounds positive given her background….let’s hope so??
She had better be aggressive and fight for advisers or the AFA is finished.