Lost in the Middle?

With the election only a few days away, many of our clients have expressed confusion about the potential impact of a Shorten Labor Government. We’ve taken the time to explain some of Labor’s key tax reform proposals; identifying who will be the winners and losers, plus some of the potentially impactful reform proposals that have slipped under the radar.

Lost in the Middle?

As advisers we are constantly exposed to a broad range of political views and opinions. Rather than trying to impose our own views, we see our role as helping clients better understand the mechanics and implications of policy, in the hope this will allow them to better develop their own attitudes and opinions.

Whilst there are always ‘rusted on’ Liberal and Labor supporters, our conversations in recent months have suggested that there may be more people in the ‘undecided camp’ than in elections gone by.

Many clients seem genuinely confused as to the technical implications of a change of government. In this era of slogan style politics, it seems nobody takes the time to explain the detail.

For these ‘undecided people’ the problem seems to have been exacerbated by the shifting of politics away from the middle. Whereas in the Rudd and Turnbull eras the policy differences between the major parties were minor, recent times have seen Labor shift to the Left and the Coalition be forcibly moved to the right by its right faction.

These undecided voters represent a growing cohort who are often socially progressive (e.g. support gay marriage, accept the science of climate and tend to be non-religious), while also being strong economic conservatives (believing that markets allocate capital better than governments and that smaller government is generally better than bigger).

These people are at a loss as to whom to give their vote. A vote for either party presenting too big a compromise to their conscience.

On one side we have a Coalition government that is likely to provide more of the same, while on the other we have a Labor opposition intent and making radical changes in order to implement an ideological agenda.

We haven’t discussed Coalition tax policy at length here because their position is largely to maintain the status quo – while Labor want to change rather a lot, so the Labor tax policy platform is the focus of our discussion today.

What is clear is that Labor’s tax reforms have been designed to substantially reduce the number of avenues available to affluent Australians for tax planning. Or in Chris Bowen’s language “close tax loopholes”.

Whereas the use of self-managed super funds and discretionary family trusts is currently widespread, under a Labor government the benefits of these structures will be substantially reduced – thereby encouraging many to wind up those entities and move to simpler, more conventional super funds and company structures.

It is important to note that none of Labor’s tax reforms are supported by the Coalition. Thus, for any of the tax reforms we are about to discuss to get up, Labor would firstly need to win the election, and secondly, get their proposals through both the lower and upper houses. The closer the election outcome, the more challenging this is likely to be.

Key Tax Reforms being proposed by the Labor Party:

  1. Excess imputation credits non-refundable from 01/07/2019.
  2. Reduction of the CGT discount from 50% to 25% for assets acquired after 01/01/2020
  3. Removal of negative gearing on investment properties other than ‘new housing’ purchased after 01/01/2020;
  4. Introduction of a minimum 30% tax rate for discretionary family trust distributions from 01/07/2019;
  5. Reduction in the income threshold from $250K to $200k for the additional 15% tax on concessional superannuation contributions;
  6. Non-concessional contribution cap reduced from $100,000 pa to $75,000 pa

In the articles that follow, we endeavour to explain each of these reforms in turn, so feel free to scroll to the ones that interest.

Franking Credits Non-Refundable (Imputation)

To understand the proposed changes to franking credits, it is first important to understand how the dividend imputation system works and how it was conceived. Dividend imputation was introduced so that company profits were not taxed twice. Without imputation, profits earned by a company are taxed both in the hands of the company itself and then again in the hands of the shareholder when they receive a dividend.

For example, if we consider ‘Company A’ which has just one shareholder and earns a profit of $100. The company pays tax on its profit at the corporate tax rate of say 30%. So, the company’s profit after tax is $70. The company then pays all its $70 profit as a dividend to its sole shareholder. The dividend is then subject to personal income tax in the hands of the shareholder. If we assume the marginal tax rate of the shareholder is 47%, then the $70 dividend is reduced to around $37 after personal income tax is paid. So in total the tax office has collected around $63 tax on income of $100.

The architects of imputation felt that taxing the same source of income twice was ‘double dipping’, so the imputation system was designed to provide the shareholder with a credit for the tax that had already been paid at the company level.

With imputation in force the example above plays out quite differently. 30% tax is paid on the $100 profit at the company level, but the shareholder gets a credit for that and they only pay ‘top-up tax’ if their marginal tax rate is higher than 30%.

In this example, where our shareholder is on the 47% rate, the top up tax amount is the difference between the shareholder’s rate and the company tax rate. So, 47% -30% = 17%. So the shareholder pays an additional 17% x $100 = $17.  The end result is that tax on the original profit amount is levied at the shareholder’s rate.

The original imputation system meant that imputation (franking) credits could be used to reduce an individual’s tax liability. However, much like other tax credits within the tax system, if someone didn’t have a tax liability, or the tax liability was smaller than the imputation credits, the imputation credits went unused.

In 2001, the dividend imputation system was amended to allow any excess imputation credits (i.e. those in excess of the tax liability) to be paid as a cash refund. This meant those people with a tax rate lower than the company tax rate (generally 30%), would receive a cash refund where they had no other tax liability.

The Labor opposition has proposed that the changes introduced in 2001 be reversed, meaning that the original imputation system would effectively be restored i.e. after 1 July 2019, any excess imputation credits would no longer be paid as a cash refund.

To ensure that the measure does not impact upon those receiving a government pension or allowance (including those receiving a full or part age pension, disability support pension, carer payment, parenting payment, Newstart or sickness allowance), Labor has announced a Pensioner Guarantee, meaning recipients will still receive any excess dividend imputation credits as a cash refund.

Labor sees this as a vital area of tax saving should it form government at the next federal election, with the current dividend imputation system forecast to cost more than $56 billion to the federal government over the next ten years.

Implications & Comment

Labor’s policy position has disenfranchised thousands of ‘self-funded retirees’ and particularly those who run their own Self-Managed Super Funds, are wholly in pension phase and have invested heavily in Australian shares. This cohort of people can be quite severely impacted as they are accustomed to receiving significant tax refunds of franking credits in their super funds. In some cases, these people stand to lose as much as 10% of their income.

This policy is interesting in that it hits the mid-affluent retirees whilst sparing high affluent retirees. Albeit it is worth noting that high affluent retirees with more than $1.6M in super were forced to shift balances above $1.6M from tax free pensions back into accumulation phase where they pay tax at 15% when the pension transfer cap was introduced by the Coalition in 2017.

Family Trusts, Imposing a Minimum 30% Tax Rate on Distributions

For me this policy has been the ‘sleeper’ of the campaign, largely flying ‘under the radar’. It hasn’t featured much in the public discourse, yet it stands to have a very significant impact on families and small businesses. 

Perhaps the reason this policy has garnered so little attention is that the layperson (both in the media and the electorate) simply doesn’t understand how trusts work. Even those with trust of their own, often don’t fully understand how they work.

Compounding the misunderstanding is the widely-held view that only the very wealthy benefit from trusts. In truth thousands of low to middle income families use family trusts. Indeed, a report from the Australian Institute suggests family trusts have assets of more than $3 trillion and annual revenues of $350 billion. The same report showed that 21% of national income is funnelled through trusts.

It is unsurprising then that the Labor’s proposals to alter the way trust distributions are taxed stands to raise around $7.7 billion over four years and more than $28 billion over ten years.

Broadly speaking trusts can have the benefit of reducing tax, protecting assets and providing a mechanism for preserving wealth for future generations.

When a small business operates through a family trust, the family can spread the business profits among family members, thereby reducing the average rate of tax paid by the family group in aggregate.

The key to understanding the taxation of trusts is appreciating that trusts themselves don’t usually pay tax or retain their profits. Instead, a trust’s income and realised capital gains are distributed each year to its beneficiaries – meaning, profits are passed through the trust to family members and taxed as ordinary income in their hands.

Family trusts also have the added benefit of being able to vary the share of income that goes to the various family members from year to year to optimise the tax outcome.

For example, if a family’s small retail business generates operating profits of $200K and the business is run through a Family Trust, then the family can distribute the profits equally across its five family members (i.e. Mum, Dad and three adult children). This results in each family member receiving a trust distribution of $40,000. Assuming the family have no other source of income, each family member pays personal income tax of around $4,547, or $22,735 for the group. So, the average tax rate paid on business profit is around 11%.

If on the other hand the business was operated through a company, then the businesses profit would be taxed at the small business corporate tax rate of 27.5%. If we assume Labor’s changes to imputation credits are also implemented, then the lowest conceivable average tax rate for the family group would be 27.5%.

Labor are proposing to reduce the income streaming benefit of trusts by imposing a minimum tax rate on trust distributions of 30%. In our example above this would render running the business through a trust a worse option than running the business through a company (i.e. trust = 30% and company = 27.5%).

For our family of five in the example above, the amount of tax being paid by the family would almost triple in the wake of the Labor reform.

Whilst my example may be extreme, there are literally thousands of trades people and other small business operators who earn incomes of around $200,000 pa and operate their businesses through a family trust. Where these business owners have a non-working spouse and/or adult children who aren’t yet in jobs, they are able to spread out the family’s income using the trust and reduce the tax they pay overall.

Notably, Labor’s proposal will not apply to certain trusts such as:

  • Special disability trusts;
  • Testamentary trusts;
  • Fixed trusts or fixed unit trusts;
  • Charitable and philanthropic trusts;
  • Farm trusts (query what these are); and
  • Public unit trusts (listed and unlisted).

Implications & Comment

Setting aside the ‘fairness’ of the current system, the proposed reform represents a seismic shift in the amount of tax paid by many small business owners. Moreover, the risk/reward for these small business operators would be significantly altered.  Furthermore, it is likely that in the wake of the reforms many small business owners will need to restructure their ownership arrangements, thereby triggering stamp duty and other costs.

Taxpayers earning salaries, with little ability to spread their income across their family members may feel that the current income streaming benefits of trusts are unfair, while small businesses owners would generally argue that the tax breaks afforded through trusts are a fair reward for the entrepreneurial risks they take.

Negative Gearing

Labor proposes to limit negative gearing to ‘new’ housing from 01/01/2020. Investments made before this date will be grandfathered from the impact. Losses from new investments in shares and ‘existing’ properties will still be able to offset other taxable income. 

Implications & Comment

Market prices in any capital market are finely balanced and represent the sum total of buyers and sellers opinions and needs at any given time. If negative gearing is removed, it is likely that the number of investor buyers in the housing market will be reduced. Thus, if the policy is implemented and all other things being equal, prices should fall.

How much of this Labor policy is already factored into market prices and how much is potentially to come is unclear (noting that Sydney housing has fallen 15% in twelve months).

Whether the reduction in house prices is a good thing or not will depend on your point of view. Homeowners typically don’t want the value of their equity reduced, while those aspiring to home ownership would like affordability improved.

Falling house prices are generally bad for the economy in the short run as consumer confidence and spending are eroded but can be good for the economy in the longer run as more Australians are able to enjoy the benefits of home ownership. Moreover, economists suggest that when taxpayers over invest in housing, it comes at cost to the economy overall. From an economic perspective surplus capital is better allocated to assets that create more economic activity/benefit – such as businesses and infrastructure.

Other Labor Tax Proposals

Reduction of the CGT discount from 50% to 25% C

Currently when an individual acquires an investment asset and later sells that asset for a profit, capital gains tax (CGT) is levied on the profit amount. However, if the asset was held for more than 12 months, then the gain amount is discounted by 50% before the CGT is levied. CGT is levied at the individual’s marginal tax rate.

Labor have indicated that they wish to reduce the amount of the CGT discount from 50% to 25% for investments acquired after 01/01/2020.

Implications & Comment

The reduction in the CGT discount will capture more tax from those who are asset rich (i.e. those with investment portfolios), while sparing those who earn good income but haven’t yet accumulated investment assets other than their home and super.

Reducing the Income Threshold from $250K to $200k for the additional 15% Tax on Concessional Superannuation Contributions (Division 293 tax)

Currently if your income plus any concessional (before-tax) super contributions is more than $250,000 you are liable for Division 293 tax of 15% on the amount of concessional contributions above the $250,000 threshold.

So those earning more than $250,000 pay a total of 30% tax on their concessional contributions, whereas taxpayers earning less than $250,000 only pay 15% contributions tax.

Labor will reduce the threshold for this additional tax amount to $200,000, thereby catching many more taxpayers.

Reducing the Non-concessional contribution cap from $100,000 pa to $75,000 pa

Currently Australians with super balances of under $1.6M can make after tax contributions (non-concessional) to super of up to $100,000 per annum. If they are under 65 they can also make three years’ worth of contributions in one go (i.e. $300,000) if they have enough headroom under the $1.6M limit provided they don’t make after tax contributions in the subsequent two years.

Labor plans to keep the contribution eligibility rules the same, but reduce the annual limit for after tax contributions from $100,000 to $75,000.

Implications & Comment

This change would further reduce the ability for those approaching retirement to increase their superannuation savings using lump sums. Australians saving for their retirement seeking to use superannuation will need to consider making non-concessional contributions earlier and over a more extended period of time in order to maximise their superannuation balance.

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Mark Minchin

Mark Minchin

Managing Partner
BCom, GDipFP, GDipApFin, CFP®

Mark has been ranked in Australia in the prestigious “Barron’s Australia Top Financial Advisers” survey each year since the survey began (from 2017 through 2023).

Mark has a Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting), a Graduate Diploma in Applied Finance and Investment, a Graduate Diploma in Financial Planning, and he is a Certified Financial Planner. Mark has specialist accreditations in the areas of self-managed super funds, derivatives, and margin lending. He has been involved in financial planning and wealth management since 1996.

Mark began his career in accounting with one of the big four before moving into financial services where he worked for some of Australia’s leading fund managers and investment banks prior to founding Minchin Private Wealth in 2010. Minchin Private Wealth became Minchin Moore in 2011 when the business merged with the longstanding financial advisory business of (now retired) Peter Williams.

With a deep understanding of the workings of capital markets, Mark’s skills encompass investment management, financial planning, trusts, estates, and philanthropy.

His strong industry background, thought leadership and commercial savvy, allows Mark to act as a valued sounding board for both clients and Team members.

Whilst Mark still works with a handful of clients and as Minchin Moore has grown, Mark’s role has necessarily shifted away from day-to-day client support responsibilities toward broader business stewardship responsibilities. Despite this, Mark’s love for helping clients sees him maintaining a connection with as many clients of the firm as he can.

Mark is the father of three and in addition to enjoying time with his young family is a keen sportsman who enjoys long distance ocean paddling events. Mark’s wife Chantal, also a paddler, is a two time Olympian and Beijing Bronze Medallist. With this key alignment of interests Mark was able to play a significant role in Chantal’s coaching in the lead up to the Beijing Games.

Jenny Wong

Jenny Wong

Chief Financial Officer (CFO) & Partner
BCom, DipFP, CFP®

Jenny has a Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting & Finance), is an accredited Derivatives and Self-Managed Super Fund adviser, and a Certified Financial Planner. She has over 24 years experience in wealth management and financial planning.

Having held a variety of senior technical roles in Australia’s major retail banks and Investment Banks, Jenny joined Minchin Moore in 2011.

Jenny and Mark Minchin are long-time professional colleagues and friends, with the pair having worked together since 2004.

Jenny has been the CFO since she joined Minchin Moore in 2011 and became a Partner of the business in 2013. Having played an integral part of the formation of Minchin Moore, Jenny remains heavily involved in recruitment, corporate strategy, team training and operational leadership.

In her role as CFO, she oversees the operations, finances, and compliance aspects of the business.

Jenny somehow juggles her demanding professional career with being the mother of twin boys. She enjoys spending time with family and friends and keeping fit.

Jamie Wickham

Jamie Wickham

Head of Institutional and Family Office Services & Partner
BCom, CFA, GDipFP

Jamie received a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of Sydney and is a Chartered Financial Analyst® (CFA) charter holder. He has completed the Graduate Diploma in Financial Planning and is currently undertaking the Masters in Financial Planning.

Leveraging his background working with institutional clients, Jamie is focused on strengthening and building out client relationships in the institutional, not-for-profit category. In addition, Jamie is responsible for our solutions for family offices, including the provision of governance support, strategic advice, portfolio management solutions, research and due diligence.

Jamie has over 25 years’ experience in financial services, primarily with global investment research firm, Morningstar. Prior to joining Minchin Moore, Jamie was the Managing Director of Morningstar Australia and New Zealand. In this role, he was responsible for leading Morningstar in the region – formulating and executing Morningstar’s strategy, leading and developing the 200+ local team and driving the growth in the Australian and New Zealand business both organically and via acquisitions.

He did a stint in Morningstar’s London office from 2012 to 2015 where he led the company’s global research and data business. Jamie began his career as the founding employee of Aspect Financial in 1997 – a provider of equity research and data, which went on to become Aspect Huntley via a merger with Huntleys’ Investment Information in 2003. He held general management positions through to the acquisition of that business by Morningstar in July 2006.

Jamie is married with four children – three at university and one finishing up at school. He enjoys sports of all kinds including involvement in his boys’ school rowing program and attempting to improve his golf game. Otherwise, he enjoys travel and spending time on the family farm.

Kate Paul

Kate Paul

Executive Assistant

Kate has over 10 years’ experience in executive administration and customer service in a variety of different fields but came to us from the Aged Care sector. She has a strong background in general IT, compliance, service provision and office management. The past ten years has seen Kate work alongside the owners of a local northern beaches family-owned aged care company. Building the business alongside the founders has given her a deep understanding of the importance of providing personalised, trusted, diligent and competent support to clients to help them achieve their goals.

Kate is often the first point of contact for clients, her job is to make sure we meet the needs of our clients in line with their expectations and always with a smile on her face.

When not working hard to deliver the highest possible internal and external customer service, you can find her on the netball court imagining she’s an Australian Diamond, walking her dog Kiki or spending time with her family and friends.

Tom Jeffries

Tom Jeffries

Principal Adviser & Senior Partner
BCom, DipFP, GDip ApFin, CFP®

Tom has a Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting), a Post Graduate Diploma in Applied Finance and Investment, an Advanced Diploma in Financial Planning and is a Certified Financial Planner. Tom also has specialist accreditations in the areas of self-managed super funds, listed securities, margin lending and personal debt advice. Tom has been involved in the wealth management industry for over 18 years. 

Tom began his career in portfolio management with a leading private client fund manager, where he gained a deep knowledge and appreciation for the workings of financial markets and the practical implications for real life portfolios. Tom then moved to one of Australia’s pre emanant fund managers where he worked with financial planning firms on portfolio construction and model enhancement. A former ‘Head of Investments’ at Minchin Moore, Tom continues to play a key role in our Investment Committee.  

In Tom’s current day job, he specialises in providing holistic advice to HNW families and private clients. This includes advice across investment management, strategic financial planning, self-managed superannuation funds risk insurance and lending services. Tom enjoys seeing clients realise their financial and lifestyle goals. 

Tom is the father of three, and in his spare time is a keen sportsman, participating in cycling, surfboat rowing and a range of outdoor activities. 

Charlie Perkins

Charlie Perkins

Principal Adviser & Senior Partner
BBus, GDipAppFin, DFS, F Fin, AFP

Charlie has a Bachelor of Business, a Graduate Diploma in Applied Finance & Investment and a Diploma of Financial Services. He has over 22 years experience in professional investment management, is a Fellow of the Financial Services Institute of Australasia and is an Associate Member of the Financial Planning Association of Australia.

Charlie established an independent advice practice ‘Perkins Portfolio Management’ (PPM) in Orange in 2009. After a long association, the practice ultimately merged with Minchin Moore in 2016.

Prior to founding PPM, Charlie spent 10 years in senior institutional trading and sales roles at Citigroup Global Markets [Sydney and London]. During this time, Charlie was responsible for trading with and marketing to key stakeholders across the global investment landscape, including government authorities, sovereign wealth funds, pension funds, hedge funds and high net worth individuals. Charlie’s last position at Citigroup was Director – Fixed Income, Commodities & Currencies, Citigroup Global Markets London.

Charlie’s international markets experience has allowed him to develop a deep knowledge of financial markets encompassing all asset classes – from equities, to bonds, commodities and currencies.

With this market knowledge coupled with a strong ability to think strategically, Charlie works closely with high net worth families and individuals to build comprehensive financial strategies and investment plans. He regularly appears on the “Finance Segment” on ABC Local Radio [Central West and Western Plains]

Charlie is married with four young children and lives in Orange. He has a keen interest in virtually all sports, but especially rugby, golf and cricket. When time permits he can be found either on the fairways of Duntryleague or the hill at Orange Emus.

Andrew Marchant

Andrew Marchant

Chief Investment Officer (CIO) & Partner
BCom, GDipFP, GDipApFin

As Chief Investment Officer, Andrew is custodian for the Minchin Moore investment philosophy, responsible for development of investment strategy, and manages the portfolio management process for all client portfolios. Andrew is Chair of the Minchin Moore Investment Committee.

Andrew has a Bachelor of Commerce, a Graduate Diploma in Applied Finance and Investment, and a Graduate Diploma in Financial Planning. Andrew has more than 25 years of high net worth financial services experience developing expertise across investments, advice, and philanthropy.

Andrew’s previous experience includes Head of Advice and Head of Research, Managed Funds and Structured Products for one of Australia’s largest private banks. These roles included responsibility for the advice and investment process, and development of investment strategy and house views.

He also held the position of Senior Manager Investment Research with a leading private client advice firm. Andrew has significant investment governance experience through membership of highly influential Investment Committees.

Andrew is deeply engaged with philanthropy and the For Purpose sector as a non executive director with National Centre for Childhood Grief and Investment Committee member with Sydney Eisteddfod. He is loving raising three daughters with his wife Belinda, and relaxes through golf, outdoor exercise, reading, supercoach, and gardening.

Dr Steve Garth

Dr Steve Garth

Non-Executive, Independent Member of Investment Committee
PhD AppMath, MAppFin, BMathSc, BA, BBA

Dr Steve Garth brings together a rare combination of abilities that has taken him to the highest levels of academia, finance and business.

For nearly two decades, he played a key role in helping grow the Australian arm of one of the World’s largest asset managers. During his career he has managed Australian and global equity portfolios, managed the Asia Pacific trading team and oversaw the introduction of direct market access trading, and for the last 10 years he specialized in managing the firm’s fixed interest strategies.

Steve also had a key role in helping to communicate investment processes to institutional and advisor clients and prospects. He has the gift of synthesizing complex ideas, adding context and bringing them to life in new ways for multiple audiences.

Prior to his funds management career, in 2001, Steve was on the faculty of the University of New South Wales. His teaching and research interests were in optical fibre technology and quantitative finance.

Steve received his PhD in Applied Mathematics from the Australian National University. He also holds a BSc in Mathematics and Physics, a BA with majors in History and Politics, and holds a Masters of Applied Finance (MAppFin). As well, he has a Graduate Diploma in Business Administration.

Steve is a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Doug Turek

Doug Turek

Principal Adviser & Partner
BASc, PhD, AFP, DFP, TEP

Prior to merging his business with Minchin Moore in May 2022, Doug was the founder and Managing Director of the highly acclaimed financial planning firm Professional Wealth.  Over 15 years Doug, his Team and Clients enjoyed considerable successes and in 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022 Doug was named as one of Australia’s Top Financial Advisers by leading US finance publication Barron’s (as published in The Australian) – alongside Minchin Moore principal Mark Minchin.

Prior to founding Professional Wealth, Doug worked for The Boston Consulting Group consulting to banks, insurers, and fund managers. Doug deeply understands how the industry and investing works and importantly how clients need to make it work for them. He was also part owner and founder of Melbourne specialist Estate Planning Law Firm Wills & Wealth.

Doug is a sought-after speaker on wealth topics. For over seven years he was a regular finance talk-back guest Saturday mornings on AM 774 Victoria-wide. For more than a decade he wrote on investment strategy and portfolio design for Alan Kohler’s Eureka Report. He currently writes for The Australian Wealth section and can be heard on their Money Cafe podcast. Doug is passionate about investor literacy and is a frequent presenter also at Australian Shareholder and Investor Association forums.

Doug holds a PhD in engineering and a Diploma in Financial Planning and is a keen golfer. He is Australian born and has lived and worked in Canada, the United States and throughout Asia. He is a member of the Financial Planning Association and the International Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners.

Clients appreciate Doug’s passion for their wealth-being and deep knowledge in wealth management and investment.

Mark Minchin

Mark Minchin

Managing Partner
BCom, GDipFP, GDipApFin, CFP®

Mark has been ranked in Australia in the prestigious “Barron’s Australia Top Financial Advisers” survey each year since the survey began (from 2017 through 2023).

Mark has a Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting), a Graduate Diploma in Applied Finance and Investment, a Graduate Diploma in Financial Planning, and he is a Certified Financial Planner. Mark has specialist accreditations in the areas of self-managed super funds, derivatives, and margin lending. He has been involved in financial planning and wealth management since 1996.

Mark began his career in accounting with one of the big four before moving into financial services where he worked for some of Australia’s leading fund managers and investment banks prior to founding Minchin Private Wealth in 2010. Minchin Private Wealth became Minchin Moore in 2011 when the business merged with the longstanding financial advisory business of (now retired) Peter Williams.

With a deep understanding of the workings of capital markets, Mark’s skills encompass investment management, financial planning, trusts, estates, and philanthropy.

His strong industry background, thought leadership and commercial savvy, allows Mark to act as a valued sounding board for both clients and Team members.

Whilst Mark still works with a handful of clients and as Minchin Moore has grown, Mark’s role has necessarily shifted away from day-to-day client support responsibilities toward broader business stewardship responsibilities. Despite this, Mark’s love for helping clients sees him maintaining a connection with as many clients of the firm as he can.

Mark is the father of three and in addition to enjoying time with his young family is a keen sportsman who enjoys long distance ocean paddling events. Mark’s wife Chantal, also a paddler, is a two time Olympian and Beijing Bronze Medallist. With this key alignment of interests Mark was able to play a significant role in Chantal’s coaching in the lead up to the Beijing Games.

Andrew Marchant

Andrew Marchant

Chief Investment Officer (CIO) & Partner
BCom, GDipFP, GDipApFin

As Chief Investment Officer, Andrew is custodian for the Minchin Moore investment philosophy, responsible for development of investment strategy, and manages the portfolio management process for all client portfolios. Andrew is Chair of the Minchin Moore Investment Committee.

Andrew has a Bachelor of Commerce, a Graduate Diploma in Applied Finance and Investment, and a Graduate Diploma in Financial Planning. Andrew has more than 25 years of high net worth financial services experience developing expertise across investments, advice, and philanthropy.

Andrew’s previous experience includes Head of Advice and Head of Research, Managed Funds and Structured Products for one of Australia’s largest private banks. These roles included responsibility for the advice and investment process, and development of investment strategy and house views.

He also held the position of Senior Manager Investment Research with a leading private client advice firm. Andrew has significant investment governance experience through membership of highly influential Investment Committees.

Andrew is deeply engaged with philanthropy and the For Purpose sector as a non executive director with National Centre for Childhood Grief and Investment Committee member with Sydney Eisteddfod. He is loving raising three daughters with his wife Belinda, and relaxes through golf, outdoor exercise, reading, supercoach, and gardening.

Dr Steve Garth

Dr Steve Garth

Non-Executive, Independent Member of Investment Committee
PhD AppMath, MAppFin, BMathSc, BA, BBA

Dr Steve Garth brings together a rare combination of abilities that has taken him to the highest levels of academia, finance and business.

For nearly two decades, he played a key role in helping grow the Australian arm of one of the World’s largest asset managers. During his career he has managed Australian and global equity portfolios, managed the Asia Pacific trading team and oversaw the introduction of direct market access trading, and for the last 10 years he specialized in managing the firm’s fixed interest strategies.

Steve also had a key role in helping to communicate investment processes to institutional and advisor clients and prospects. He has the gift of synthesizing complex ideas, adding context and bringing them to life in new ways for multiple audiences.

Prior to his funds management career, in 2001, Steve was on the faculty of the University of New South Wales. His teaching and research interests were in optical fibre technology and quantitative finance.

Steve received his PhD in Applied Mathematics from the Australian National University. He also holds a BSc in Mathematics and Physics, a BA with majors in History and Politics, and holds a Masters of Applied Finance (MAppFin). As well, he has a Graduate Diploma in Business Administration.

Steve is a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Doug Turek

Doug Turek

Principal Adviser & Partner
BASc, PhD, AFP, DFP, TEP

Prior to merging his business with Minchin Moore in May 2022, Doug was the founder and Managing Director of the highly acclaimed financial planning firm Professional Wealth.  Over 15 years Doug, his Team and Clients enjoyed considerable successes and in 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022 Doug was named as one of Australia’s Top Financial Advisers by leading US finance publication Barron’s (as published in The Australian) – alongside Minchin Moore principal Mark Minchin.

Prior to founding Professional Wealth, Doug worked for The Boston Consulting Group consulting to banks, insurers, and fund managers. Doug deeply understands how the industry and investing works and importantly how clients need to make it work for them. He was also part owner and founder of Melbourne specialist Estate Planning Law Firm Wills & Wealth.

Doug is a sought-after speaker on wealth topics. For over seven years he was a regular finance talk-back guest Saturday mornings on AM 774 Victoria-wide. For more than a decade he wrote on investment strategy and portfolio design for Alan Kohler’s Eureka Report. He currently writes for The Australian Wealth section and can be heard on their Money Cafe podcast. Doug is passionate about investor literacy and is a frequent presenter also at Australian Shareholder and Investor Association forums.

Doug holds a PhD in engineering and a Diploma in Financial Planning and is a keen golfer. He is Australian born and has lived and worked in Canada, the United States and throughout Asia. He is a member of the Financial Planning Association and the International Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners.

Clients appreciate Doug’s passion for their wealth-being and deep knowledge in wealth management and investment.

Oliver Minchin

Oliver Minchin

Portfolio Manager
BBA, CertFin, DipFP

Oliver has a Bachelor of Business from UNSW, a Graduate Certificate in Finance from Macquarie and Diploma of Financial Planning. 

After 4 years in the Australian Army, Oliver moved to New York to join a macro hedge fund as a junior trader before moving to Sydney as an Operations Manager at a global asset manager for 3 years.

Oliver joined the Minchin Moore investment team in 2021 and is responsible for the implementation of portfolios, portfolio rebalances, keeping the advice team informed of financial market developments and finding new investment solutions. 

In his spare time, he likes to spend time with his young daughter and family, running and watching AFL.

Tom Jeffries

Tom Jeffries

Principal Adviser & Senior Partner
BCom, DipFP, GDip ApFin, CFP®

Tom has a Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting), a Post Graduate Diploma in Applied Finance and Investment, an Advanced Diploma in Financial Planning and is a Certified Financial Planner. Tom also has specialist accreditations in the areas of self-managed super funds, listed securities, margin lending and personal debt advice. Tom has been involved in the wealth management industry for over 18 years. 

Tom began his career in portfolio management with a leading private client fund manager, where he gained a deep knowledge and appreciation for the workings of financial markets and the practical implications for real life portfolios. Tom then moved to one of Australia’s pre emanant fund managers where he worked with financial planning firms on portfolio construction and model enhancement. A former ‘Head of Investments’ at Minchin Moore, Tom continues to play a key role in our Investment Committee.  

In Tom’s current day job, he specialises in providing holistic advice to HNW families and private clients. This includes advice across investment management, strategic financial planning, self-managed superannuation funds risk insurance and lending services. Tom enjoys seeing clients realise their financial and lifestyle goals. 

Tom is the father of three, and in his spare time is a keen sportsman, participating in cycling, surfboat rowing and a range of outdoor activities. 

Charlie Perkins

Charlie Perkins

Principal Adviser & Senior Partner
BBus, GDipAppFin, DFS, F Fin, AFP

Charlie has a Bachelor of Business, a Graduate Diploma in Applied Finance & Investment and a Diploma of Financial Services. He has over 22 years experience in professional investment management, is a Fellow of the Financial Services Institute of Australasia and is an Associate Member of the Financial Planning Association of Australia.

Charlie established an independent advice practice ‘Perkins Portfolio Management’ (PPM) in Orange in 2009. After a long association, the practice ultimately merged with Minchin Moore in 2016.

Prior to founding PPM, Charlie spent 10 years in senior institutional trading and sales roles at Citigroup Global Markets [Sydney and London]. During this time, Charlie was responsible for trading with and marketing to key stakeholders across the global investment landscape, including government authorities, sovereign wealth funds, pension funds, hedge funds and high net worth individuals. Charlie’s last position at Citigroup was Director – Fixed Income, Commodities & Currencies, Citigroup Global Markets London.

Charlie’s international markets experience has allowed him to develop a deep knowledge of financial markets encompassing all asset classes – from equities, to bonds, commodities and currencies.

With this market knowledge coupled with a strong ability to think strategically, Charlie works closely with high net worth families and individuals to build comprehensive financial strategies and investment plans. He regularly appears on the “Finance Segment” on ABC Local Radio [Central West and Western Plains]

Charlie is married with four young children and lives in Orange. He has a keen interest in virtually all sports, but especially rugby, golf and cricket. When time permits he can be found either on the fairways of Duntryleague or the hill at Orange Emus.

Andrew Marchant

Andrew Marchant

Chief Investment Officer (CIO) & Partner
BCom, GDipFP, GDipApFin

As Chief Investment Officer, Andrew is custodian for the Minchin Moore investment philosophy, responsible for development of investment strategy, and manages the portfolio management process for all client portfolios. Andrew is Chair of the Minchin Moore Investment Committee.

Andrew has a Bachelor of Commerce, a Graduate Diploma in Applied Finance and Investment, and a Graduate Diploma in Financial Planning. Andrew has more than 25 years of high net worth financial services experience developing expertise across investments, advice, and philanthropy.

Andrew’s previous experience includes Head of Advice and Head of Research, Managed Funds and Structured Products for one of Australia’s largest private banks. These roles included responsibility for the advice and investment process, and development of investment strategy and house views.

He also held the position of Senior Manager Investment Research with a leading private client advice firm. Andrew has significant investment governance experience through membership of highly influential Investment Committees.

Andrew is deeply engaged with philanthropy and the For Purpose sector as a non executive director with National Centre for Childhood Grief and Investment Committee member with Sydney Eisteddfod. He is loving raising three daughters with his wife Belinda, and relaxes through golf, outdoor exercise, reading, supercoach, and gardening.

Dr Steve Garth

Dr Steve Garth

Non-Executive, Independent Member of Investment Committee
PhD AppMath, MAppFin, BMathSc, BA, BBA

Dr Steve Garth brings together a rare combination of abilities that has taken him to the highest levels of academia, finance and business.

For nearly two decades, he played a key role in helping grow the Australian arm of one of the World’s largest asset managers. During his career he has managed Australian and global equity portfolios, managed the Asia Pacific trading team and oversaw the introduction of direct market access trading, and for the last 10 years he specialized in managing the firm’s fixed interest strategies.

Steve also had a key role in helping to communicate investment processes to institutional and advisor clients and prospects. He has the gift of synthesizing complex ideas, adding context and bringing them to life in new ways for multiple audiences.

Prior to his funds management career, in 2001, Steve was on the faculty of the University of New South Wales. His teaching and research interests were in optical fibre technology and quantitative finance.

Steve received his PhD in Applied Mathematics from the Australian National University. He also holds a BSc in Mathematics and Physics, a BA with majors in History and Politics, and holds a Masters of Applied Finance (MAppFin). As well, he has a Graduate Diploma in Business Administration.

Steve is a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Doug Turek

Doug Turek

Principal Adviser & Partner
BASc, PhD, AFP, DFP, TEP

Prior to merging his business with Minchin Moore in May 2022, Doug was the founder and Managing Director of the highly acclaimed financial planning firm Professional Wealth.  Over 15 years Doug, his Team and Clients enjoyed considerable successes and in 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022 Doug was named as one of Australia’s Top Financial Advisers by leading US finance publication Barron’s (as published in The Australian) – alongside Minchin Moore principal Mark Minchin.

Prior to founding Professional Wealth, Doug worked for The Boston Consulting Group consulting to banks, insurers, and fund managers. Doug deeply understands how the industry and investing works and importantly how clients need to make it work for them. He was also part owner and founder of Melbourne specialist Estate Planning Law Firm Wills & Wealth.

Doug is a sought-after speaker on wealth topics. For over seven years he was a regular finance talk-back guest Saturday mornings on AM 774 Victoria-wide. For more than a decade he wrote on investment strategy and portfolio design for Alan Kohler’s Eureka Report. He currently writes for The Australian Wealth section and can be heard on their Money Cafe podcast. Doug is passionate about investor literacy and is a frequent presenter also at Australian Shareholder and Investor Association forums.

Doug holds a PhD in engineering and a Diploma in Financial Planning and is a keen golfer. He is Australian born and has lived and worked in Canada, the United States and throughout Asia. He is a member of the Financial Planning Association and the International Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners.

Clients appreciate Doug’s passion for their wealth-being and deep knowledge in wealth management and investment.

Mark Minchin

Mark Minchin

Managing Partner
BCom, GDipFP, GDipApFin, CFP®

Mark has been ranked in Australia in the prestigious “Barron’s Australia Top Financial Advisers” survey each year since the survey began (from 2017 through 2023).

Mark has a Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting), a Graduate Diploma in Applied Finance and Investment, a Graduate Diploma in Financial Planning, and he is a Certified Financial Planner. Mark has specialist accreditations in the areas of self-managed super funds, derivatives, and margin lending. He has been involved in financial planning and wealth management since 1996.

Mark began his career in accounting with one of the big four before moving into financial services where he worked for some of Australia’s leading fund managers and investment banks prior to founding Minchin Private Wealth in 2010. Minchin Private Wealth became Minchin Moore in 2011 when the business merged with the longstanding financial advisory business of (now retired) Peter Williams.

With a deep understanding of the workings of capital markets, Mark’s skills encompass investment management, financial planning, trusts, estates, and philanthropy.

His strong industry background, thought leadership and commercial savvy, allows Mark to act as a valued sounding board for both clients and Team members.

Whilst Mark still works with a handful of clients and as Minchin Moore has grown, Mark’s role has necessarily shifted away from day-to-day client support responsibilities toward broader business stewardship responsibilities. Despite this, Mark’s love for helping clients sees him maintaining a connection with as many clients of the firm as he can.

Mark is the father of three and in addition to enjoying time with his young family is a keen sportsman who enjoys long distance ocean paddling events. Mark’s wife Chantal, also a paddler, is a two time Olympian and Beijing Bronze Medallist. With this key alignment of interests Mark was able to play a significant role in Chantal’s coaching in the lead up to the Beijing Games.

Tom Jeffries

Tom Jeffries

Principal Adviser & Senior Partner
BCom, DipFP, GDip ApFin, CFP®

Tom has a Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting), a Post Graduate Diploma in Applied Finance and Investment, an Advanced Diploma in Financial Planning and is a Certified Financial Planner. Tom also has specialist accreditations in the areas of self-managed super funds, listed securities, margin lending and personal debt advice. Tom has been involved in the wealth management industry for over 18 years. 

Tom began his career in portfolio management with a leading private client fund manager, where he gained a deep knowledge and appreciation for the workings of financial markets and the practical implications for real life portfolios. Tom then moved to one of Australia’s pre emanant fund managers where he worked with financial planning firms on portfolio construction and model enhancement. A former ‘Head of Investments’ at Minchin Moore, Tom continues to play a key role in our Investment Committee.  

In Tom’s current day job, he specialises in providing holistic advice to HNW families and private clients. This includes advice across investment management, strategic financial planning, self-managed superannuation funds risk insurance and lending services. Tom enjoys seeing clients realise their financial and lifestyle goals. 

Tom is the father of three, and in his spare time is a keen sportsman, participating in cycling, surfboat rowing and a range of outdoor activities. 

Charlie Perkins

Charlie Perkins

Principal Adviser & Senior Partner
BBus, GDipAppFin, DFS, F Fin, AFP

Charlie has a Bachelor of Business, a Graduate Diploma in Applied Finance & Investment and a Diploma of Financial Services. He has over 22 years experience in professional investment management, is a Fellow of the Financial Services Institute of Australasia and is an Associate Member of the Financial Planning Association of Australia.

Charlie established an independent advice practice ‘Perkins Portfolio Management’ (PPM) in Orange in 2009. After a long association, the practice ultimately merged with Minchin Moore in 2016.

Prior to founding PPM, Charlie spent 10 years in senior institutional trading and sales roles at Citigroup Global Markets [Sydney and London]. During this time, Charlie was responsible for trading with and marketing to key stakeholders across the global investment landscape, including government authorities, sovereign wealth funds, pension funds, hedge funds and high net worth individuals. Charlie’s last position at Citigroup was Director – Fixed Income, Commodities & Currencies, Citigroup Global Markets London.

Charlie’s international markets experience has allowed him to develop a deep knowledge of financial markets encompassing all asset classes – from equities, to bonds, commodities and currencies.

With this market knowledge coupled with a strong ability to think strategically, Charlie works closely with high net worth families and individuals to build comprehensive financial strategies and investment plans. He regularly appears on the “Finance Segment” on ABC Local Radio [Central West and Western Plains]

Charlie is married with four young children and lives in Orange. He has a keen interest in virtually all sports, but especially rugby, golf and cricket. When time permits he can be found either on the fairways of Duntryleague or the hill at Orange Emus.

Andrew Marchant

Andrew Marchant

Chief Investment Officer (CIO) & Partner
BCom, GDipFP, GDipApFin

As Chief Investment Officer, Andrew is custodian for the Minchin Moore investment philosophy, responsible for development of investment strategy, and manages the portfolio management process for all client portfolios. Andrew is Chair of the Minchin Moore Investment Committee.

Andrew has a Bachelor of Commerce, a Graduate Diploma in Applied Finance and Investment, and a Graduate Diploma in Financial Planning. Andrew has more than 25 years of high net worth financial services experience developing expertise across investments, advice, and philanthropy.

Andrew’s previous experience includes Head of Advice and Head of Research, Managed Funds and Structured Products for one of Australia’s largest private banks. These roles included responsibility for the advice and investment process, and development of investment strategy and house views.

He also held the position of Senior Manager Investment Research with a leading private client advice firm. Andrew has significant investment governance experience through membership of highly influential Investment Committees.

Andrew is deeply engaged with philanthropy and the For Purpose sector as a non executive director with National Centre for Childhood Grief and Investment Committee member with Sydney Eisteddfod. He is loving raising three daughters with his wife Belinda, and relaxes through golf, outdoor exercise, reading, supercoach, and gardening.

Dr Steve Garth

Dr Steve Garth

Non-Executive, Independent Member of Investment Committee
PhD AppMath, MAppFin, BMathSc, BA, BBA

Dr Steve Garth brings together a rare combination of abilities that has taken him to the highest levels of academia, finance and business.

For nearly two decades, he played a key role in helping grow the Australian arm of one of the World’s largest asset managers. During his career he has managed Australian and global equity portfolios, managed the Asia Pacific trading team and oversaw the introduction of direct market access trading, and for the last 10 years he specialized in managing the firm’s fixed interest strategies.

Steve also had a key role in helping to communicate investment processes to institutional and advisor clients and prospects. He has the gift of synthesizing complex ideas, adding context and bringing them to life in new ways for multiple audiences.

Prior to his funds management career, in 2001, Steve was on the faculty of the University of New South Wales. His teaching and research interests were in optical fibre technology and quantitative finance.

Steve received his PhD in Applied Mathematics from the Australian National University. He also holds a BSc in Mathematics and Physics, a BA with majors in History and Politics, and holds a Masters of Applied Finance (MAppFin). As well, he has a Graduate Diploma in Business Administration.

Steve is a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Doug Turek

Doug Turek

Principal Adviser & Partner
BASc, PhD, AFP, DFP, TEP

Prior to merging his business with Minchin Moore in May 2022, Doug was the founder and Managing Director of the highly acclaimed financial planning firm Professional Wealth.  Over 15 years Doug, his Team and Clients enjoyed considerable successes and in 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022 Doug was named as one of Australia’s Top Financial Advisers by leading US finance publication Barron’s (as published in The Australian) – alongside Minchin Moore principal Mark Minchin.

Prior to founding Professional Wealth, Doug worked for The Boston Consulting Group consulting to banks, insurers, and fund managers. Doug deeply understands how the industry and investing works and importantly how clients need to make it work for them. He was also part owner and founder of Melbourne specialist Estate Planning Law Firm Wills & Wealth.

Doug is a sought-after speaker on wealth topics. For over seven years he was a regular finance talk-back guest Saturday mornings on AM 774 Victoria-wide. For more than a decade he wrote on investment strategy and portfolio design for Alan Kohler’s Eureka Report. He currently writes for The Australian Wealth section and can be heard on their Money Cafe podcast. Doug is passionate about investor literacy and is a frequent presenter also at Australian Shareholder and Investor Association forums.

Doug holds a PhD in engineering and a Diploma in Financial Planning and is a keen golfer. He is Australian born and has lived and worked in Canada, the United States and throughout Asia. He is a member of the Financial Planning Association and the International Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners.

Clients appreciate Doug’s passion for their wealth-being and deep knowledge in wealth management and investment.

Mark Minchin

Mark Minchin

Managing Partner
BCom, GDipFP, GDipApFin, CFP®

Mark has been ranked in Australia in the prestigious “Barron’s Australia Top Financial Advisers” survey each year since the survey began (from 2017 through 2023).

Mark has a Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting), a Graduate Diploma in Applied Finance and Investment, a Graduate Diploma in Financial Planning, and he is a Certified Financial Planner. Mark has specialist accreditations in the areas of self-managed super funds, derivatives, and margin lending. He has been involved in financial planning and wealth management since 1996.

Mark began his career in accounting with one of the big four before moving into financial services where he worked for some of Australia’s leading fund managers and investment banks prior to founding Minchin Private Wealth in 2010. Minchin Private Wealth became Minchin Moore in 2011 when the business merged with the longstanding financial advisory business of (now retired) Peter Williams.

With a deep understanding of the workings of capital markets, Mark’s skills encompass investment management, financial planning, trusts, estates, and philanthropy.

His strong industry background, thought leadership and commercial savvy, allows Mark to act as a valued sounding board for both clients and Team members.

Whilst Mark still works with a handful of clients and as Minchin Moore has grown, Mark’s role has necessarily shifted away from day-to-day client support responsibilities toward broader business stewardship responsibilities. Despite this, Mark’s love for helping clients sees him maintaining a connection with as many clients of the firm as he can.

Mark is the father of three and in addition to enjoying time with his young family is a keen sportsman who enjoys long distance ocean paddling events. Mark’s wife Chantal, also a paddler, is a two time Olympian and Beijing Bronze Medallist. With this key alignment of interests Mark was able to play a significant role in Chantal’s coaching in the lead up to the Beijing Games.

Jenny Wong

Jenny Wong

Chief Financial Officer (CFO) & Partner
BCom, DipFP, CFP®

Jenny has a Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting & Finance), is an accredited Derivatives and Self-Managed Super Fund adviser, and a Certified Financial Planner. She has over 24 years experience in wealth management and financial planning.

Having held a variety of senior technical roles in Australia’s major retail banks and Investment Banks, Jenny joined Minchin Moore in 2011.

Jenny and Mark Minchin are long-time professional colleagues and friends, with the pair having worked together since 2004.

Jenny has been the CFO since she joined Minchin Moore in 2011 and became a Partner of the business in 2013. Having played an integral part of the formation of Minchin Moore, Jenny remains heavily involved in recruitment, corporate strategy, team training and operational leadership.

In her role as CFO, she oversees the operations, finances, and compliance aspects of the business.

Jenny somehow juggles her demanding professional career with being the mother of twin boys. She enjoys spending time with family and friends and keeping fit.

Jane Hopkins

Jane Hopkins

Principal Adviser & Senior Partner
BTrsmMgt, DipMgt, MFinPlan, CFP®

Jane holds a Bachelor of Tourism Management, an Advanced Diploma of Financial Planning, a Masters of Financial Planning, and she is a Certified Financial Planner.

Jane has worked in financial services since 2007, starting out as a Paraplanner with a self-licensed financial planning firm for high net wealth clients, before moving into team leader and operations roles. Prior to joining Minchin Moore, Jane spent four years with BT Financial Group, most recently as Business Manager to the General Manager of the BT Advice & Private Wealth businesses. With a passion for financial advice and helping others, Jane enjoys working directly with clients.

Away from the office, Jane enjoys being active, travelling and spending time with family and friends.

Cathryn Gross

Cathryn Gross

Principal Adviser & Senior Partner
BEc, BSci, DFP

Cathryn joined the business as a Partner in 2019 via a merger of her own practice, Twelve Wealth, with Minchin Moore. She specialises in working with women who require financial advice as they work through separation, divorce and probate.

Cathryn has a Bachelor of Economics and Bachelor of Science and a Graduate Diploma of Financial Planning. She has over 20 years’ experience in financial services and is an accredited Executive Coach.

Before founding Twelve Wealth, Cathryn worked with women on a Leadership journey as an Executive Coach. Prior to that, she spent more than 10 years working across corporate finance and institutional sales roles at a global investment bank and large trading bank.

Cathryn has sat on ASICs Financial Advisers Consultative Committee and is currently a member of the  Investment Committee for the Rugby League Players Retirement fund.

Cathryn is married with three children. She lives on Sydney’s Lower North Shore and spends much of her leisure time watching her kids play sport. When time permits, she can be found skiing and walking the dogs.

Jamie Wickham

Jamie Wickham

Head of Institutional and Family Office Services & Partner
BCom, CFA, GDipFP

Jamie received a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of Sydney and is a Chartered Financial Analyst® (CFA) charter holder. He has completed the Graduate Diploma in Financial Planning and is currently undertaking the Masters in Financial Planning.

Leveraging his background working with institutional clients, Jamie is focused on strengthening and building out client relationships in the institutional, not-for-profit category. In addition, Jamie is responsible for our solutions for family offices, including the provision of governance support, strategic advice, portfolio management solutions, research and due diligence.

Jamie has over 25 years’ experience in financial services, primarily with global investment research firm, Morningstar. Prior to joining Minchin Moore, Jamie was the Managing Director of Morningstar Australia and New Zealand. In this role, he was responsible for leading Morningstar in the region – formulating and executing Morningstar’s strategy, leading and developing the 200+ local team and driving the growth in the Australian and New Zealand business both organically and via acquisitions.

He did a stint in Morningstar’s London office from 2012 to 2015 where he led the company’s global research and data business. Jamie began his career as the founding employee of Aspect Financial in 1997 – a provider of equity research and data, which went on to become Aspect Huntley via a merger with Huntleys’ Investment Information in 2003. He held general management positions through to the acquisition of that business by Morningstar in July 2006.

Jamie is married with four children – three at university and one finishing up at school. He enjoys sports of all kinds including involvement in his boys’ school rowing program and attempting to improve his golf game. Otherwise, he enjoys travel and spending time on the family farm.

Oliver Minchin

Oliver Minchin

Portfolio Manager
BBA, CertFin, DipFP

Oliver has a Bachelor of Business from UNSW, a Graduate Certificate in Finance from Macquarie and Diploma of Financial Planning. 

After 4 years in the Australian Army, Oliver moved to New York to join a macro hedge fund as a junior trader before moving to Sydney as an Operations Manager at a global asset manager for 3 years.

Oliver joined the Minchin Moore investment team in 2021 and is responsible for the implementation of portfolios, portfolio rebalances, keeping the advice team informed of financial market developments and finding new investment solutions. 

In his spare time, he likes to spend time with his young daughter and family, running and watching AFL.

Ben Smythe

Ben Smythe

Principal Adviser & Senior Partner
BEc, MCom, GDipTaxFinPlanning

Ben is a Partner in Minchin Moore. He has been involved in the financial services industry for over 25 years (both with small business and large corporates), and has a strong tertiary background (three degrees from UNSW). He is also a Chartered Tax Adviser and Self-Managed Superannuation Fund Specialist Adviser. Ben is deeply passionate about drawing a line in the sand in the financial planning industry, and delivering advice that is free from conflicts, and specific to the aspirations and outcomes that are important to each individual client.

Having established his own business at age 23, Ben has a particular expertise in working with small business owners and professionals. His partnership style approach in working with clients as they navigate their key personal and financial milestones and life events, ensures clients always have a “go-to-person” in their life for all things financial. He also focuses on giving back to clients their biggest life constraint which is time, so they can spend it with the people or doing the things that are important to them.

Ben is married to Gillian, and they have three energetic teenage boys, a dog, a cat and some cows. In between work and family time, Ben squeezes in as much sport (including as a spectator) and exercise as possible, and looking after those cows at their hobby farm near Dungog.

Kate Paul

Kate Paul

Executive Assistant

Kate has over 10 years’ experience in executive administration and customer service in a variety of different fields but came to us from the Aged Care sector. She has a strong background in general IT, compliance, service provision and office management. The past ten years has seen Kate work alongside the owners of a local northern beaches family-owned aged care company. Building the business alongside the founders has given her a deep understanding of the importance of providing personalised, trusted, diligent and competent support to clients to help them achieve their goals.

Kate is often the first point of contact for clients, her job is to make sure we meet the needs of our clients in line with their expectations and always with a smile on her face.

When not working hard to deliver the highest possible internal and external customer service, you can find her on the netball court imagining she’s an Australian Diamond, walking her dog Kiki or spending time with her family and friends.

Diana Gowdie

Diana Gowdie

Senior Adviser
BEcon, CFP®

Diana holds a Bachelor of Economics from the University of Sydney, an Advanced Diploma of Financial Planning from Kaplan and is a Certified Financial Planner.

Diana commenced her Financial Planning career in 2004.  She began as a Customer Service Manager with a boutique financial planning firm for high net wealth clients, before moving into various Paraplanning, Operations and Compliance roles.

Diana has also been a panel member and exam assessor for industry-recognised Certified Financial Planner accreditation.

Prior to joining Minchin Moore, Diana spent 5 years working in the Private Wealth arm of a major investment bank and 8 years as a Financial Adviser with a self-licensed firm specialising in meeting the financial needs of medical professionals. Understanding that no two clients are the same, Diana provides a high level of personalised service to her clients no matter what stage of life they find themselves.

Outside work, Diana’s favourite thing to do is spend time with her husband and two wonderful daughters. Whenever possible she loves to watch musicals, sporting events and spend time with her extended family and friends.

Michael Forer

Michael Forer

Principal Adviser & Senior Partner
BComm, GradDip FP, CFP®

Michael has a Bachelor of Commerce, a Graduate Diploma in Financial Planning and in 2017 was awarded the Gwen Fletcher memorial award for being the highest performing student in the CFP® Certification Unit (CFP C), with demonstrable dedication to providing high-quality financial advice.

Prior to joining Minchin Moore, Michael had built his own business over a number of years culminating in the establishment of “Wealth Planners” which has now merged into Minchin Moore.

Michael has over 20 years of experience in the financial services industry having worked at some of Australia’s largest financial institutions as well as small boutique financial planning practices.

With a commitment to ongoing learning and previous experience working in Technical and Strategy Support roles, Michael is well equipped to provide solutions to complex financial planning scenarios.

Away from the office Michael keeps busy with his young family and their numerous sporting commitments. He is also an avid follower of both professional and local sports particularly cricket and Australian Rules football.

Katie Gaunt

Katie Gaunt

Principal Adviser
BMgmt (Mtkt), Adv.Dip.FS (FP), CFP®

Katie holds a Bachelor of Management from the University of South Australia, an Advanced Diploma of Financial Planning and she is a Certified Financial Planner.  Katie has worked in the financial services industry for 21 years.

Prior to joining Minchin Moore Katie worked with a leading private bank for 12 years, her final role there being that of Senior Adviser, where she advised a select group of individuals and families with their financial planning and investment management needs.

With her strong attention to detail, Katie prides herself on providing a comprehensive service that simplifies and helps co-ordinate her clients’ financial lives. She works with clients to identify their key values and objectives and then designs and executes an ongoing strategy to achieve what is important to them. She is particularly skilled in advising clients who are approaching retirement or are retired, and individuals and families navigating major life events.

Katie is married and lives with her husband and daughter in Middle Cove. When she is not spending time helping clients, or with family and friends, Katie loves to travel, swim, and play games or watch movies with a good mystery to solve.

Simon Forer

Simon Forer

Principal Adviser & Senior Partner
BBus, GDip ApFin & Inv

Simon has worked in financial services for over 25 years, including over 19 years as a licenced financial adviser. He has a Bachelor of Business and a Graduate Diploma in Applied Finance & Investment.

Before joining Minchin Moore, Simon established “Wealth Planners” with his brother Michael. It was through a relationship established in London with fellow Minchin Moore partner Charlie Perkins that Simon decided to merge in his business and join the Melbourne team to work with Doug Turek. “The philosophies, value proposition, professionalism and culture of Minchin Moore are compelling. I am able to provide my clients with the highest standard of advice backed up by evidence-based principles of investment and a hand-picked team to provide quality support.”

On his journey, Simon spent 16 years in a privately owned boutique financial planning firm in bayside Melbourne where he provided specialist strategic, investment, superannuation and risk management advice to a range of wholesale and retail clients.

Simon is a family man with two teenage children and a wife who works in human resource management. Simon’s son is now studying Biomedicine at Melbourne University and his daughter is finishing her last few years at school.

Simon has a great love of sport including AFL, cricket and athletics. He has always had a strong commitment to his community having been involved in local football and cricket clubs and various school committees. In 2019, Simon was awarded ‘Volunteer of the Year Award” by the SMJFL for services to the local football league that has over 11,000 participants.

Simon tries to keep fit by playing mid-week basketball and running several marathons each year. “I will try to keep running whilst the legs allow me too”.

Anh Stelfox

Anh Stelfox

Principal Adviser
& Associate Partner
BCom, AdvDipFP, CFP®

Anh has a Bachelor of Commerce (majoring in Economics and Marketing), an Advanced Diploma in Financial Services (Financial Planning) and is a Certified Financial Planner. Anh has been in the finance industry for 18 years and has spent the last 15 years providing financial advice.

Prior to joining Minchin Moore Anh spent 9 years at Perpetual Private advising successful individuals and their families with wealth preservation, asset growth and intergenerational wealth transfer. Anh also has extensive experience advising individuals who have received significant court settlements on how to structure their financial affairs and invest their proceeds in line with prudent person principles. Prior to Perpetual Private Anh also held advice roles at Mercer, FSD (an independent boutique) and NAB.

Anh was awarded Perpetual’s Senior Adviser of the year award in 2013 and Rookie Adviser of the year award in 2010. In addition, Anh received NAB’s Wealth Manager of the year award in 2004.

Anh enjoys the long term relationships she develops with clients. She takes the time to understand what is important to them and then develops bespoke smart solutions for each client. Anh regularly reviews her advice to ensure that as each client’s life evolves so too does their financial plan. As their trusted adviser, Anh’s clients know they can rely on her to provide them advice which is in their best interest.

Anh lives on the Northern beaches with her husband and two daughters. She loves traveling and baking in her spare time.

Angus Warden

Angus Warden

Principal Adviser & Senior Partner
BAgrEc, GDipFinPlanning, GDipAppFin, F Fin, SSA, CFP®

Angus has a Bachelor of Agricultural Economics, a Graduate Diploma in Applied Finance and Investment, a Graduate Diploma in Financial Planning and is a Certified Financial Planner. He maintains a specialist accreditation in Self-Managed Super Funds with SMSF Association.

He began his career in financial services over 25 years ago. During this time he has held senior roles with a number of Australia’s leading financial services institutions.

Angus’ primary role is to provide specialist strategic, investment and risk management advice to farmers, graziers, business owners and professionals.  His specialist advice incorporates:

  •  wealth accumulation and investment strategies;
  •  wealth protection strategies; and
  •  specialised superannuation, retirement and estate planning solutions.

He has a strong connection with and understanding of regional and rural issues. This allows him to assist clients to make sound and informed strategic financial decisions.  It is his role to pull together an overall strategic plan and to make sure it evolves with the changing needs and objectives of his clients.

Angus is married with three children and lives on a small farm. He loves any sport – participating and watching. He is the Vice President of Walcha Swimming Club and a proud member of the “High Cows” swim group.

Sonia Hawley

Sonia Hawley

Principal Adviser & Senior Partner
BEc, Adv DipFP, SSA®, JP, CFP®

Sonia has a Bachelor of Economics and an Advanced Diploma of Financial Planning. She is also a Certified Financial Planner and a Specialist Self-Managed Super Fund Adviser.

Sonia has over 25 years of diverse experience in financial services. For the five years prior to joining Minchin Moore, Sonia provided personal financial advice to clients of a Manly NSW boutique firm. Earlier she worked as an SMSF specialist for highly acclaimed SuperConcepts and AMP. She also created and delivered financial educational materials at or for the Australian Financial Review, industry educator Kaplan, both The Australian and Hong Kong Financial Securities Institutes and the Commonwealth Bank.

At Minchin Moore, Sonia provides comprehensive advice including on superannuation and other tax structuring, investing, insurance, debt management, estate planning and aged care.

Sonia is especially sought after for her empathy and professionalism in providing life-changing advice. That, plus her strong technical skills make Sonia unique.

Outside of work, Sonia likes to spend time with her family, play tennis, hike, ski and be on or in the water.  She is currently supporting the CanToo Foundation in an ocean kayak challenge at Middle Harbour Yacht Club.

Justin Brand

Justin Brand

Principal Adviser & Senior Partner
BBus, DFS

With nearly 30 years’ experience in financial services, Justin spent the first half of his career in management roles within some of Australia’s largest financial advice firms and banks, such as Merrill Lynch Private Client, Colonial First State, ING and Commonwealth Bank. Drawing on the best practices he encountered over 16 years, Justin went on to establish one of Brisbane’s first independent advice firms, free from the conflicts plaguing the industry at the time.

Twelve years later, Brand Financial merged with Minchin Moore, establishing it’s Queensland office. As Queensland Regional Manager, Justin is responsible for expanding Minchin Moore’s presence in the state and ensuring more people have access to the same high standard of financial advice and private wealth management that the firm is known for elsewhere.

Having spent several years living in the UK, Middle East and the USA, Justin understands the complexities faced by expatriates who have worked and built wealth overseas. As a former business owner, he is well-acquainted with the challenges and needs of entrepreneurs. Justin particularly enjoys working with busy professionals, such as those in the medical field, who not only have specific structural needs but also must focus on building their wealth while their earning potential is at its peak.

Justin enjoys travelling overseas, exploring Australia with his wife in their 4WD and spending quality time with family and friends.

Lucinda Mulligan

Lucinda Mulligan

Adviser
BAgBus, AdvDip FS FP

Lucinda has a Bachelor of Agribusiness (Marketing) and an Advanced Diploma in Financial Planning. Lucinda has worked within the financial planning industry for over 14 years in various roles.  

Prior to recently joining Minchin Moore Lucinda worked with one of Australia’s leading business banks for 9 years as a Senior Adviser, where she worked with both business and agribusiness clients managing their financial planning, insurance and investment needs.  

Lucinda has a passion for regional Australia and helping to bring relevant financial services to rural communities.  

Lucinda is married and lives with her husband and young son in Tamworth. In her spare time, she love spending time with her family as a new mum, catching up with good friends, reading and travelling.  

Andrew Jenkins

Andrew Jenkins

Principal Adviser & Senior Partner
B Ec, GDipApFin, CFP®

Andrew is a Certified Financial Planner™ with over 20 years of experience, based in Sydney. Specialising in assisting high-earning executives and professionals, he helps optimise their affairs for their retirement years. Andrew applies a comprehensive framework to help his clients focus on the key metrics essential for a healthy retirement and strives to make financial planning as straightforward as possible, with clear and actionable advice.

Happily married, he has a beautiful daughter and two rambunctious dogs. Outside of work, he enjoys golf, travel, spending time with friends and family, running, bike riding and honing his body surfing skills. He is also an avid AFL and cricket follower.

As Steve Jobs noted, “simple can be harder than complex: you have to work hard to get your thinking clean to make it simple.” Good advice does not need to be complicated to be valuable. Simplified, well-considered strategies offer the most effective outcomes with more reliability and lower cost.

Joanne McKay

Joanne McKay

Principal Adviser
DipFin Markets (SecInst), Dip FP, CFP®

Joanne holds a Diploma in Finance Markets, a Diploma in Financial Planning and achieved the Certified Financial Planner designation in 2003.

Joanne joined the Financial Planning industry in 1998, working in a boutique financial planning firm, gaining experience and a passion for advising and helping her clients.

In 2007, Joanne established a personal advisory firm, Wealth Foundations along with business partners Andrew Jenkins and John Leske.

Joanne enjoys working with a variety of clients, from successful 40-50 year olds, reappraising 50-60 year olds and retirement planning.  Joanne works with independently wealthy individuals and families, as well as widows and divorcees.

In 2024 Andrew and Joanne merged Wealth Foundations into Minchin Moore, which was a smooth transition thanks to both firms sharing the same core philosophies that are important to Joanne – particularly a ‘client-first’ focus and evidence-based investment style.

Joanne is married with 2 teenage daughters and enjoys supporting her family and their various activities. Joanne is a keen tennis player, enjoys snow skiing, travelling and spending quality time with her friends and extended family.

Alex Madgwick

Alex Madgwick

Principal Adviser & Senior Partner
LRS, AdvDipFP, CFP®

Alex has a Graduate Diploma of Financial Planning, is a Certified Financial Planner (CFP) and Life Risk Specialist (LRS).

Alex has over fifteen years’ experience working in the financial planning industry. He began his career with another leading financial planning firm in Sydney (9yrs), following which he moved to London (3yrs) where he gained an in depth understanding of the UK tax system and pension schemes. On returning to Australia, Alex spent a year as a senior business analyst with BT Financial Group prior to joining Minchin Moore in 2015.

A detailed and technical adviser, Alex enjoys working with a wide range of clients with varying needs. Alex’s client base includes a cross section from young professionals through to retirees facing aged care related issues. Alex understands and respects that each client is unique, so it is vital that advice be tailored to their personal needs and objectives.

Outside of work Alex enjoys travelling and spending time with family and friends. He is also a keen water polo player, open water swimmer and snowboarder.

Nataliya Dikovskaya

Nataliya Dikovskaya

Senior Adviser

Nataliya holds a Master of Applied Finance, an Advanced Diploma in Financial Services, and she is a Certified Financial Planner® and SMSF Specialist Adviser. With over 17 years of experience in wealth management, including leading her own consulting firm before joining Minchin Moore, Nataliya is committed to offering top-tier service to ensure clients achieve their financial aspirations.

Her approach to financial planning is holistic, focusing on empowering clients to live their desired lifestyles while managing their finances efficiently. Nataliya’s expertise also includes ethical practices within finance, having previously contributed for four years as a panel member and in evaluating assignments for the Certified Financial Planner accreditation.

Beyond her financial expertise, Nataliya actively supports the arts community. She chairs the Adelaide Park Lands Art Prize and plays significant roles in the Finance, Audit and Risk sub-committee for the State Theatre Company of South Australia, as well as the Contemporary Collectors committee at the Art Gallery of South Australia.

Nataliya’s role at Minchin Moore is integral for professionals seeking to become self-funded retirees, especially those wishing to contribute to the arts. She combines her financial knowledge with her passion for art to guide clients towards successful and philanthropic retirements.

Craig Benham

Craig Benham

Principal Adviser
BA, GDipBus, DipFP, GDipAppFin, SSA, CFP®

Craig has a BA, Graduate Diploma in Business, Graduate Diploma in Applied Finance and Investment, Diploma in Financial Planning and is a Certified Financial Planner. He maintains specialist accreditation in Self-Managed Superannuation with the SMSF Association and is an SMSF Specialist Advisor ™.

Craig is a highly experienced financial adviser with over 25 years expertise, working with leading Australian financial services firms. Craig is a former Partner of a regional Chartered Accounting and Financial Advisory firm, where he provided financial advice services for 15 years throughout the North West and New England regions.

Craig’s primary role is to provide strategic planning and investment advice to individuals, farmers, graziers and small businesses. Craig’s areas of expertise include wealth accumulation and protection strategies; retirement planning and funding advice; SMSF, superannuation and estate planning.

With a strong focus on building long-term advice relationships, Craig collaborates closely with his clients assisting them to make the informed decisions that provide peace of mind and the clarity to achieve financial goals.

Craig is married and has two children. In his spare time, Craig enjoys supporting local rugby, is a regular at tennis and does his best to keep on top of the gardening.

Annabelle Forsyth

Annabelle Forsyth

Adviser
BSc, BBus, DFP

Having initially graduated from the University of NSW with a Bachelor of Science degree, Annabelle worked extensively in the science field including positions within the environmental, pharmaceutical, dairy and pathology sectors.

A career change and further tertiary study saw Annabelle graduate with distinction in a Bachelor of Business degree majoring in Accounting.

After working in the accounting field Annabelle joined Perkins Portfolio Management in 2011 where she has worked as an Associate Adviser for four years. Annabelle became part of the Minchin Moore team when the two practices merged in 2016.

Annabelle enjoys a wide range of sports including bike riding and is kept busy at home by her three children and her husband Matt, whom she assists with the management of his Land Surveying practice. Annabelle was a member (and Treasurer) of the Kinross Wolaroi School Council from 2013 to 2017.

Mark Minchin

Mark Minchin

Managing Partner

Mark has been ranked in Australia in the prestigious “Barron’s Australia Top Financial Advisers” survey each year since the survey began (from 2017 through 2023).

Mark has a Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting), a Graduate Diploma in Applied Finance and Investment, a Graduate Diploma in Financial Planning, and he is a Certified Financial Planner. Mark has specialist accreditations in the areas of self-managed super funds, derivatives, and margin lending. He has been involved in financial planning and wealth management since 1996.

Mark began his career in accounting with one of the big four before moving into financial services where he worked for some of Australia’s leading fund managers and investment banks prior to founding Minchin Private Wealth in 2010. Minchin Private Wealth became Minchin Moore in 2011 when the business merged with the longstanding financial advisory business of (now retired) Peter Williams.

With a deep understanding of the workings of capital markets, Mark’s skills encompass investment management, financial planning, trusts, estates, and philanthropy.

His strong industry background, thought leadership and commercial savvy, allows Mark to act as a valued sounding board for both clients and Team members.

Whilst Mark still works with a handful of clients and as Minchin Moore has grown, Mark’s role has necessarily shifted away from day-to-day client support responsibilities toward broader business stewardship responsibilities. Despite this, Mark’s love for helping clients sees him maintaining a connection with as many clients of the firm as he can.

Mark is the father of three and in addition to enjoying time with his young family is a keen sportsman who enjoys long distance ocean paddling events. Mark’s wife Chantal, also a paddler, is a two time Olympian and Beijing Bronze Medallist. With this key alignment of interests Mark was able to play a significant role in Chantal’s coaching in the lead up to the Beijing Games.

Alex Madgwick

Alex Madgwick

Principal Adviser & Partner
LRS, AdvDipFP, CFP®

Alex has a Graduate Diploma of Financial Planning, is a Certified Financial Planner (CFP) and Life Risk Specialist (LRS).

Alex has over fifteen years’ experience working in the financial planning industry. He began his career with another leading financial planning firm in Sydney (9yrs), following which he moved to London (3yrs) where he gained an in depth understanding of the UK tax system and pension schemes. On returning to Australia, Alex spent a year as a senior business analyst with BT Financial Group prior to joining Minchin Moore in 2015.

A detailed and technical adviser, Alex enjoys working with a wide range of clients with varying needs. Alex’s client base includes a cross section from young professionals through to retirees facing aged care related issues. Alex understands and respects that each client is unique, so it is vital that advice be tailored to their personal needs and objectives.

Outside of work Alex enjoys travelling and spending time with family and friends. He is also a keen water polo player, open water swimmer and snowboarder.

Anh Stelfox

Anh Stelfox

Principal Adviser & Associate Partner
BCom, AdvDipFP, CFP®

Anh has a Bachelor of Commerce (majoring in Economics and Marketing), an Advanced Diploma in Financial Services (Financial Planning) and is a Certified Financial Planner. Anh has been in the finance industry for 18 years and has spent the last 15 years providing financial advice.

Prior to joining Minchin Moore Anh spent 9 years at Perpetual Private advising successful individuals and their families with wealth preservation, asset growth and intergenerational wealth transfer. Anh also has extensive experience advising individuals who have received significant court settlements on how to structure their financial affairs and invest their proceeds in line with prudent person principles. Prior to Perpetual Private Anh also held advice roles at Mercer, FSD (an independent boutique) and NAB.

Anh was awarded Perpetual’s Senior Adviser of the year award in 2013 and Rookie Adviser of the year award in 2010. In addition, Anh received NAB’s Wealth Manager of the year award in 2004.

Anh enjoys the long term relationships she develops with clients. She takes the time to understand what is important to them and then develops bespoke smart solutions for each client. Anh regularly reviews her advice to ensure that as each client’s life evolves so too does their financial plan. As their trusted adviser, Anh’s clients know they can rely on her to provide them advice which is in their best interest.

Anh lives on the Northern beaches with her husband and two daughters. She loves traveling and baking in her spare time.

Craig Benham

Craig Benham

Principal Adviser
BA, GDipBus, DipFP, GDipAppFin, SSA, CFP®

Craig has a BA, Graduate Diploma in Business, Graduate Diploma in Applied Finance and Investment, Diploma in Financial Planning and is a Certified Financial Planner. He maintains specialist accreditation in Self-Managed Superannuation with the SMSF Association and is an SMSF Specialist Advisor ™.

Craig is a highly experienced financial adviser with over 25 years expertise, working with leading Australian financial services firms. Craig is a former Partner of a regional Chartered Accounting and Financial Advisory firm, where he provided financial advice services for 15 years throughout the North West and New England regions.

Craig’s primary role is to provide strategic planning and investment advice to individuals, farmers, graziers and small businesses. Craig’s areas of expertise include wealth accumulation and protection strategies; retirement planning and funding advice; SMSF, superannuation and estate planning.

With a strong focus on building long-term advice relationships, Craig collaborates closely with his clients assisting them to make the informed decisions that provide peace of mind and the clarity to achieve financial goals.

Craig is married and has two children. In his spare time, Craig enjoys supporting local rugby, is a regular at tennis and does his best to keep on top of the gardening.

Justin Brand

Justin Brand

Principal Adviser & Partner
BBus, DFS

With nearly 30 years’ experience in financial services, Justin spent the first half of his career in management roles within some of Australia’s largest financial advice firms and banks, such as Merrill Lynch Private Client, Colonial First State, ING and Commonwealth Bank. Drawing on the best practices he encountered over 16 years, Justin went on to establish one of Brisbane’s first independent advice firms, free from the conflicts plaguing the industry at the time.

Twelve years later, Brand Financial merged with Minchin Moore, establishing it’s Queensland office. As Queensland Regional Manager, Justin is responsible for expanding Minchin Moore’s presence in the state and ensuring more people have access to the same high standard of financial advice and private wealth management that the firm is known for elsewhere.

Having spent several years living in the UK, Middle East and the USA, Justin understands the complexities faced by expatriates who have worked and built wealth overseas. As a former business owner, he is well-acquainted with the challenges and needs of entrepreneurs. Justin particularly enjoys working with busy professionals, such as those in the medical field, who not only have specific structural needs but also must focus on building their wealth while their earning potential is at its peak.

Justin enjoys travelling overseas, exploring Australia with his wife in their 4WD and spending quality time with family and friends.

Katie Gaunt

Katie Gaunt

Principal Adviser
BMgmt (Mtkt), Adv.Dip.FS (FP), CFP®

Katie holds a Bachelor of Management from the University of South Australia, an Advanced Diploma of Financial Planning and she is a Certified Financial Planner.  Katie has worked in the financial services industry for 21 years.

Prior to joining Minchin Moore Katie worked with a leading private bank for 12 years, her final role there being that of Senior Adviser, where she advised a select group of individuals and families with their financial planning and investment management needs.

With her strong attention to detail, Katie prides herself on providing a comprehensive service that simplifies and helps co-ordinate her clients’ financial lives. She works with clients to identify their key values and objectives and then designs and executes an ongoing strategy to achieve what is important to them. She is particularly skilled in advising clients who are approaching retirement or are retired, and individuals and families navigating major life events.

Katie is married and lives with her husband and daughter in Middle Cove. When she is not spending time helping clients, or with family and friends, Katie loves to travel, swim, and play games or watch movies with a good mystery to solve.

Sonia Hawley

Sonia Hawley

Principal Adviser & Partner
BEc, Adv DipFP, SSA®, JP, CFP®

Sonia has a Bachelor of Economics and an Advanced Diploma of Financial Planning. She is also a Certified Financial Planner and a Specialist Self-Managed Super Fund Adviser.

Sonia has over 25 years of diverse experience in financial services. For the five years prior to joining Minchin Moore, Sonia provided personal financial advice to clients of a Manly NSW boutique firm. Earlier she worked as an SMSF specialist for highly acclaimed SuperConcepts and AMP. She also created and delivered financial educational materials at or for the Australian Financial Review, industry educator Kaplan, both The Australian and Hong Kong Financial Securities Institutes and the Commonwealth Bank.

At Minchin Moore, Sonia provides comprehensive advice including on superannuation and other tax structuring, investing, insurance, debt management, estate planning and aged care.

Sonia is especially sought after for her empathy and professionalism in providing life-changing advice. That, plus her strong technical skills make Sonia unique.

Outside of work, Sonia likes to spend time with her family, play tennis, hike, ski and be on or in the water.  She is currently supporting the CanToo Foundation in an ocean kayak challenge at Middle Harbour Yacht Club.

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