Quarterly Market Wrap Q4 2020

Global Markets Summary

An extraordinary year in global markets ended on a positive note in an eventful fourth quarter, with equities registering very strong gains, led by small cap and value stocks, while a strong credit premium boosted bonds.

The final quarter was dominated again in the news by developments in the global pandemic, including the announcement of at least three new vaccines touted by their manufacturers as highly promising in preventing COVID-19.

Also seizing attention was the US Presidential election, in which Democrat Joe Biden defeated the incumbent Republican Donald Trump by 306 Electoral College votes to 232. While Trump contested the outcome as fraudulent, his numerous court challenges proved unsuccessful.

Many economies showed signs of a rebound from the pandemic-induced recession of early 2020. Australian gross domestic product rose 3.3% in the third quarter.

Equity markets, as they had done since the second quarter, looked past current economic uncertainty and the health crisis to an anticipated recovery in 2021. The vaccine news, announced in November, further cheered investors.

The Australian market rose nearly 14% in the fourth quarter (the best December quarter for the ASX 200 in history) to end the year roughly where it began, an unthinkable result back in the volatile days of March when the index had fallen more than 37% from record highs in the space of five weeks.

The final quarter was marked by a resurgence in value stocks after a long period of underperformance. Small caps, which had rallied strongly in Australia through most of the year, pushed on in the fourth, joined this time by global small caps. Emerging markets outpaced developed markets over the quarter and the full year.

While value contributed in the fourth quarter, it detracted over the year. Across developed markets, Energy and Financials, which had been laggards all year, turned around in the final quarter, although not at the expense of Information Technology, which continued the strong gains of previous quarters.

In Fixed Interest markets, there was a positive term premium overall in the fourth quarter, though there were differences across individual markets. The prime mover was a continuing contraction in credit spreads to pre-pandemic levels. Central banks again maintained easy monetary conditions. In their final meeting of the year in mid-December, US Federal Reserve policymakers upgraded their economic projections but maintained predictions that they will keep interest rates close to zero until at least the end of 2023.

The strong performance in equity markets coincided with a decline in the USD which fell more than 7% over the year against a basket of currencies. Much of this decline occurred in the final months. The AUD ended the year just below US77c, up from 70c at the end of 2019 and well above the 18-year low near 55c hit during March.

The rise in the local currencies meant hedged global portfolios outperformed their unhedged equivalents in the final quarter.

What Dominated the News

The following news summary is not intended to explain the markets’ performance in the quarter, but to provide some perspective about what dominated headlines:

October

  • Donald Trump and Melania Trump test positive for Coronavirus
  • Australia Tips into record Budget Deficit as Government accelerates tax cuts
  • IMF warns World economy to shrink by 4.4% in 2020
  • Germany and France extend restrictions as second Covid wave hits
  • Amy Coney Barrett sworn in as a Justice on US Supreme Court

November

  • Biden defeats Trump in US Election With 306-232 Electoral College Votes
  • Trump refuses to accept result; claiming widespread fraud
  • Pfizer and Moderna trials show vaccines more than 90% effective
  • Wall St reaches all-time high; Bond yields soar on vaccine promise
  • Australia, NZ and 13 Asian countries sign free trade deal

December

  • Biden names former Fed Chairman Janet Yellen as Treasury Secretary
  • Australian and NZ economies post big jumps in Q3 GDP
  • Australian exports hit hard amid escalating Trade War with China
  • US Regulator lawsuits seek break-up of Facebook
  • World ends year with 83.5m Covid-19 cases; 1.8m deaths

Balanced Portfolio Movements

The year to 31 December 2020 started with strong positive momentum carrying through from 2019, however this quickly dissipated in late February as the reality of Covid-19 struck and governments enacted measures designed to curb the spread of the disease. The associated drop off in economic activity precipitated the fastest 30%+ sell off in equity markets the World has seen and a steep decline in portfolio values. However, swift and impactful measures taken through Fiscal and Monetary Policy across the globe triggered a spectacular recovery from late March which continued throughout the remainder of the year.

The surprise emergence of the Pandemic and subsequent collapse in financial markets, followed by an unexpected recovery, again highlighted the danger of using news headlines as an indicator of future investment performance. In January, just prior to the market collapse, there was precious little mention of the imminent threat to markets, and then in March and April media reports suggested markets would be in a multi-year slump.

Despite the year’s gyrations, our Balanced portfolio model (a theoretical portfolio used to guide our decisions managing client portfolios) managed to eke out a return of around +3.1%.

The rolling 12 month return for Balanced portfolios changed considerably through the year, ranging from +14% to -9%, as did the leader board rankings of asset class returns – providing substantial opportunities for portfolio rebalancing between asset classes (i.e. topping up hardest hit asset classes, and selling down those most resilient) through the year.

Further rebalancing opportunities were available in the Australian share market as the returns between the different industry sectors diverged substantially over the year. By way of example, the best performing sectors were Information Technology (up +58%) and Materials (up +18%), while the worst hit sectors were Energy (down -28%) and Utilities (down -17%). Notably, Financials, the largest sector that makes up around 30% of the Australian stock market was down around 6%.

Our ‘Industry Equal Weight’ approach to the selection of direct Australian shares was well positioned for this Covid-19 year as the portfolio is naturally underweight Financials and overweight Technology – a structure that played well. The ongoing rebalancing between stocks also played well as substantial profits were taken from ‘bolters’ such as Afterpay, Xero and Fortescue while underperforming stocks such as banks and utilities were topped up.

Our ongoing belief in the ‘Value Style’ of investing (overweighting cheaper stocks and underweighting expensive ones) has come at a cost over the past three years as value has seen its longest ever period of underperformance. However pleasingly this theme began to reverse in the fourth quarter as a strong rally in value stocks emerged. In part, this was due to the tech rally running out of steam as investors looked to rotate out of expensive growth stocks and into unloved traditional stocks that investors believe may benefit from an unfolding economic recovery in 2021. This trend saw value stocks outperforming the broader market by around 5% in Australia and 1.5% in international markets over the December quarter.

Our ongoing tilt toward small companies also paid dividends in the December quarter, with small caps outperforming the broader market by around 2% in Australia and 9% in international markets.

Relative Returns and Adviser Value

At year end it is common for us to field questions from clients that relate to their portfolio returns. Often, these questions include a request for return comparisons for a client’s own portfolio relative to say “an average super fund”. Sometimes clients ask “why didn’t we have more of that fund or stock this year” (say tech companies), or “why were we holding that stock or fund this year” (say bank stocks).

Whilst there is value in understanding how your strategy is performing relative to others, this line of analysis can miss the forest for the trees.

All prudently managed and diversified portfolios are driven by the same market forces and affected by the same market events. The markets themselves and the events that affect them are typically volatile and unpredictable.

The main drivers of portfolio returns are almost always the portfolio’s asset allocation and the underlying returns of capital markets (ie the returns of equity, property and bond markets). Within this ‘goldfish pond’ returns don’t vary dramatically from one reputable investment manager to another. Whilst there are differences in fees and investment styles that do have an impact – the differences generally aren’t ‘cattle stations’.

Yet, big differences in investor return outcomes regularly do occur. Generally these differences arise because an investor has made a profound change to their strategy during a period of heightened volatility or market turmoil. Typically, the investor changed strategy in an attempt to ‘protect their wealth’ during a time of crisis. Think of all those Australians who withdrew their superannuation during the April lockdowns, or the many investors who shifted to cash amid the turmoil as they thought things could only get worse.

Its always easy to see in hindsight, but at the time these events occur the headlines are alarming and we can all feel vulnerable. Without a well-constructed and properly understood philosophy  – investors can lose direction, with catastrophic consequences for their portfolios.  

The best long term investor outcomes are generally achieved where the strategy was well thought out in the first place, and the investor managed to stay disciplined through the decades (and particularly through times of turmoil).

It might not be intuitive, but often the greatest contribution a seasoned adviser can make to client long term outcomes arises not from tinkering with portfolio constituents or from providing market timing advice, but rather from ensuring:

  • The asset allocation mix and investment program are well suited to the client’s needs and risk tolerance.
  • The client deeply understands the way that market works and how their investment program is intended to behave through the ups and downs of the cycle.
  • Providing upfront and ongoing education and being present to be a trusted sounding board to help clients manage their emotions and impulses while staying disciplined through periods of crisis.

Comparing returns is human nature, but so is the propensity to believe that ‘the grass is greener on the other side’. Switching from one super fund to another, or one investment fund to another to chase last year’s best performer is rarely the sensible thing to do.

Research published by Standard & Poor’s shows that from June 2015 to June 2020, only 33% of Australian Shares Funds were able to beat the Index in two consecutive years, and over four and five years this figure reduces to 2% and 1% respectively. Persistence of performance is even challenging in relative terms, as only 1% of Funds were able to maintain their position in the top quartile of competitor funds for five consecutive years.

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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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