Garrisons planners get platform choice

Dealer groupGarrisonshas addedColonialFirstChoice andPerpetualWealthFocus to its platform offering after conducting a review fuelled by adviser concern theChallenger-owned group lacked choice in the area.

To date, Garrisons’ advisers have been obliged to use the Synergy master trust, which is also Challenger-owned, but feedback from the group’s planners sparked a review back in December 2003.

Garrisons’ acting managing director Jim McKay, says the review identified a need in the mini-master trust space and has added Colonial and Perpetual’s offerings to address that.

“As we progress, we ’d expect to add further platforms so that our planners have access to the products and services they need to help build their businesses and deliver quality service to their clients,” McKay adds.

McKay states the additions have no relation to Challenger’s impending acquisition ofAssociated Planners Financial Services, and adds the decision has been well received by its more than 150 financial planners.

“The two platforms we’ve added supplement the services of Garrisons’ current provider, Synergy, to give Garrisons planners a more comprehensive offer.

“From the client’s point of view, quality advice involves following a selection process that matches products to their individual needs. Clients expect this to occur with investments and insurance and, increasingly, with the planner ’s platform recommendation as well,” McKay says.