Mr Stewart will lead the transformation of the advice business and also the transition activities with Viridian Advisory, as announced last month.
Westpac announced in March that it would exit face-to-face financial advice in BT Financial group and that Viridian Advisory would take on its salaried advisers and commence supporting advice customers.
Mr Stewart has been with the Westpac Group since 2011 and has served as national head of BT Group licensees since June 2018, while also head of Westpac’s private wealth business in Victoria and South Australia.
His appointment follows Jane Watts’ move to general manager of Westpac’s retail and premium bank.
Mr Stewart said he was excited to take on the role and continue the significant work undertaken with Viridian already.
“Viridian Advisory is well progressed in the transition with a majority of offers already made to advisers within the group. Early responses have been very positive. There is still a great deal of work to do,” he said.
Ms Watts said she wanted a smooth transition for customers and advisers and Mr Stewart would provide that.
“The smooth transition for customers and advisers is paramount to the success of implementing these changes. Ashley’s deep experience in advice and across our business will be a key driver in this transition,” she said.
[quote=Rami]Can’t wait to buy my new Ferrari and give Ash his brown paper bag payment for making all this happen…. [/quote][quote=Rami]Can’t wait to buy my new Ferrari and give Ash his brown paper bag payment for making all this happen…. [/quote]
488gtb red
Does Ash at least get a Portofino?
So are these 150 planners from Westpac to Viridian needing to buy equity in the Viridian business?
Who is paying Westpac for the clients?
There seems to be a high degree of secrecy in this deal?
I don’t understand why there simply isnt an honest analysis and discussion.
What is the car reference? Brown paper bags? Independant? Options Strategy?
This feels like a gangland war with all the angst in here
[quote=Julian]I thought that the client has the final say on who they would like as their adviser!! Also love the conflict of interest that takes place at apac. Surely there is a clause in contracts preventing this!! Transaction has a smell to it akin to rotting rubbish that has been left in the sun for weeks on end.[/quote][quote=Julian]I thought that the client has the final say on who they would like as their adviser!! Also love the conflict of interest that takes place at apac. Surely there is a clause in contracts preventing this!! Transaction has a smell to it akin to rotting rubbish that has been left in the sun for weeks on end.[/quote]
I think you will find that each individual client will need to opt in to the new company. This regularly happens with these transactions, so what’s your point Julian?
I thought that the client has the final say on who they would like as their adviser!! Also love the conflict of interest that takes place at apac. Surely there is a clause in contracts preventing this!! Transaction has a smell to it akin to rotting rubbish that has been left in the sun for weeks on end.
Can’t wait to buy my new Ferrari and give Ash his brown paper bag payment for making all this happen….
Does everyone at Westpac have shares in Viridian or just the select few?
What happened to the guy that represented Westpac at the royal commission? Looks like he did such a good job he has been put on the sidelines.
[quote=Akram]It’s no wonder the public don’t respect financial planners, based on the below comments, I wouldn’t either. Have some professionalism people, stupid comments from an immature minority make the rest of us look bad.[/quote][quote=Akram]It’s no wonder the public don’t respect financial planners, based on the below comments, I wouldn’t either. Have some professionalism people, stupid comments from an immature minority make the rest of us look bad.[/quote]
It’s not the comments section of this website that makes people dubious of the Industry. It’s the behaviour and quality of the self interested AFSL Management who oversee Advisers. Advisers just react in their comments here to the dark comedy they see unfolding daily. Case in point, have a look at the LinkedIn profile for the person named in this article. This person appears NOT to have ANY actual advice experience or FP qualifications yet he is acting General Manager of Advice? Yeah ok then.
It’s no wonder the public don’t respect financial planners, based on the below comments, I wouldn’t either. Have some professionalism people, stupid comments from an immature minority make the rest of us look bad.
“Anonymous” you should be ashamed of yourself – celebrating victory and pumping your fists with delight. It’s a pity that your company is commoditising client relationships. We are just a number to you. Please take a look at yourselves.
Oops sorry everyone. That previous message was supposed to be a private one celebrating our success, and not on a public forum. Please disregard.
Ah the old ” Early responses are very positive ” trick . Don’t you just love the Westpac Spin . We will see how positive it will be if the advisers don’t move across !!!! Aren’t they paying big fee to retain or move them ?
I love it when a well laid plan comes together. We are going to take over the world together my very close friend. You are a valued client and shareholder. We did it, we got it, we own it.
🙂
Isn’t Ashley a shareholder and client of Viridian? He must be delighted to benefit from both sides of this transaction. Great win for him and Viridian – such a fast rise from nowhere. I feel for the poor clients though.
Ashlee, aren’t you a shareholder in Viridian? Nice one mate.
The Transition Man – everyone else exits stage right
Ex ANZ ………….. enough said