Financial planning needs more women, says FPA


Adelaide to host FPA Women in Wealth event for the first time

The Financial Planning Association of Australia (FPA) is playing its part in attracting more women to the financial planning profession by fostering community, innovation and leadership amongst financial planners at a series of networking events included in its Women in Wealth program.

FPA is partnering with Financial Executive Women (FEW) to present FPA Women in Wealth – events that have been developed to promote mentoring opportunities for women, supporting them in their career progression.

Adelaide will play host for the first time on Tuesday 25 September, before Sydney and Brisbane in October.

The FPA Women in Wealth networking event series is intended to benefit men and women alike since everyone has a role to play in advancing work culture and diversity.

FPA CEO, Dante De Gori CFP® said: “Currently, women make up 26 per cent of the FPA membership, and only around 20 per cent in the profession. And yet research tells us consumer demand for female financial planners is growing.

“The most important attributes for a good planner are being trustworthy, knowledgeable, and having strong emotional intelligence (EQ), according to the Attitudes Towards Women in Financial Advice 2017 report. In fact, female advisers are associated strongly with EQ qualities and are perceived on par with males in terms of knowledge and intelligence. These qualities drive client satisfaction and could explain why satisfaction and trust is high among consumers with female planners.[1]

“The profession and consumers will benefit from greater gender balance. The FPA is committed to supporting more women to consider a career in financial planning as well as to progress from financial associate roles to achieving the highest designation in financial planning.

“Following the success of the FPA Women in Wealth events last year, I’m delighted we are extending the reach of the program to Adelaide this year. It gives more of our members the opportunity to network, and potentially grow the number of women in the profession.” said Mr De Gori.

Additionally, attendees in Sydney and Brisbane can join FEW founder, Judith Beck, when she hosts the FEW Circle discussion group for women to discuss topical issues with their peers.

The SA networking lunch hosted by the FPA Adelaide Chapter Committee on Tuesday 25 September will feature a discussion with local business women Sarah Gunn and Marilyn Little. Sarah runs GOGO events, a social enterprise which educates and trains homeless and disadvantaged people to produce décor items and event materials. Marilyn, a fashion stylist with Australian label Liz Davenport, will share clever travel and styling secrets with guests.

Following the Adelaide event, on Wednesday 17 October the FPA Sydney Chapter will host a FPA Women in Wealth breakfast featuring peace advocate, Dr Gill Hicks AM, MBE. Gill miraculously survived the 2005 London Underground bombings and in 2007 founded the not-for-profit organisation M.A.D for Peace. She is considered to be one of the world’s most thought-provoking and powerful speakers.

The FPA Brisbane Chapter will host the final networking lunch on Wednesday 24 October and will feature 2018 NSW Rural Women’s Award winner, Jillian Kilby.  An engineer and infrastructure entrepreneur, Jillian specialises in moving horizon infrastructure projects from planning to shovel ready. Jillian will share how her intuition led to some of her best decisions.

The FPA Women in Wealth networking event series is generously supported by Macquarie Bank.

 

Adelaide event:

Date: Tuesday 25  September 2018

Time: 12:00pm – 2.30pm

Cost: Individual Ticket: $75 (incl. GST), Table of 8:$560 (incl. GST)

Includes presentation by Sarah Gunn and Marilyn Little, two-course lunch and beverages.

Location: National Wine Centre of Australia, Botanic St & Hackney Rd, Hackney SA 5069

Purchase your tickets here.

 

Sydney event:

Date: Wednesday 17 October 2018

Time: 8:30am – 11.00am

Cost: Individual Ticket $85 (incl. GST), Table of 8 $640 (incl. GST)

Includes presentation by Dr Gill Hicks and breakfast.

Location: Macquarie Bank, Conference Room 1 & 2, 1 Shelley Street, Sydney

Purchase your tickets here.

 

Brisbane event:

Date: Wednesday 24 October

Time: 11.30am – 2.30pm

Cost: Individual Tickets $85 (inc GST), Table of (8) – $640 (inc GST)

Includes presentation by Jillian Kilby, two-course lunch and beverages

Location: Black Bird, Riverside Centre, 123 Eagle Street, Brisbane

Purchase your tickets here.

[1] Attitudes Towards Women in Financial Advice 2017 report produced by the Financial Services Council and BT Advice and Private Wealth.