IWL creates new role to lead planning strategy

IWLhas appointed Ross Johnston to the newly created position of head of financial planning strategy in a move it says will underpin the growth of its planning software business.

Johnston’s primary responsibility will be to lead the strategic direction of the IWL financial planning product range. He will also head up IWL’s Client Advisory Board.

IWL chief executive Otto Buttula says Johnston will provide a stronger conduit between IWL’s software development and its client base.

“Where we needed to add some extra depth was in financial planning strategy, so that the software we continue to build is meeting our client’s expectations,” Buttula says.

Johnston has 17 years experience in the industry and was previously a senior executive with financial planning and funds administration business Bridges Financial Services Group.

He has been acting as an independent consultant operating under Fintech Solutions since leaving Bridges in April, and has been involved with Credit Union Services Corporations, Prudential, MLC Investments and Westpac Financial Services over the course of his career.

The appointment comes as IWL’s research arm, InvestorWeb, also announced three new appointments to its managed funds research team, to fill positions created after a resignation and two dismissals earlier in the year.

Martin Kerr has been appointed head of managed funds research, following his earlier appointment as interim head after the resignation of David Parr.

Tara Bell, formerly of AXA Australia, and Glen Franklin, previously with InTech Financial Services, will join the research team to replace dismissed analysts David Smythe and David Wright.