Former Guardian Advice practice joins Fortnum



Former Guardian Advice practice, Griffin Financial Services has joined non-institutionally owned dealer group, Fortnum Financial Advisers as authorised representatives after a detailed review of the market.
The move came after Suncorp Group closed its risk advice focused Guardian Advice and Suncorp Financial Planning businesses last year.
Principal of Sydney-based Griffin Financial Services, Scott Dawkins, said the firm chose Fortnum after a "very disruptive" period following Suncorp's decision to close its financial planning businesses.
"It was clear that we needed to join a profitable, independently-owned licensee with a broad approved product list and a firm commitment to advice for the long term," he said, adding that he was pleased with the autonomy given to advisers under the partnership within the limits of the professional advice framework.
"Fortnum is big enough to provide the services and support we need but small enough to be nimble, dynamic and adapt to change."
Fortnum managing director, Joel Taylor, said part of Fortnum's strategy was to recruit young advisers as well as mature advisers with established practices.
Recommended for you
With an advice M&A deal taking around six months to enact, two experts have shared their tips on how buyers and sellers can avoid “deal fatigue” and prevent potential deals from collapsing.
Several financial advisers have been shortlisted in the ninth annual Women in Finance Awards 2025, to be held on 14 November.
Digital advice tools are on the rise, but licensees will need to ensure they still meet adviser obligations or potentially risk a class action if clients lose money from a rogue algorithm.
Shaw and Partners has merged with Sydney wealth manager Kennedy Partners Wealth, while Ord Minnett has hired a private wealth adviser from Morgan Stanley.