Lonsdale adds staff in network expansion bid

Melbourne-based dealer group Lonsdale Financial Group has made a series of new appointments as part of a drive to grow its network associates and joint venture opportunities.

The group has appointed Kon Costas to the newly created position of national manager network development along with two new marketing management positions, created as part of a complementary overhaul of its marketing management structure.

Costas will be primarily responsible for recruiting new financial planning and accounting firms to the Lonsdale network, according to Lonsdale chief executive Mario Modica.

Costas joins Lonsdale from Bendigo Investment Services, where he was responsible for the management and growth of the financial planning network within the Bendigo Bank structure.

Previously he was an executive at Westpac Financial Services with responsibility for its financial planning services in Victoria.

Meanwhile Shaku Robertson has been appointed as a marketing coordinator with responsibility for the implementation of marketing communications and campaign management, public relations and event coordination, while Rowena Murray moves from within Lonsdale management to take on the role of marketing consultant.

Modica said Robertson and Murray will assist Lonsdale in launching its “most comprehensive and visible marketing strategy for years in 2005”.

He said the strategy will include the group’s first Self Managed Super Fund Technical Forums, which will be open to all financial planners and accountants.

In addition, Georgette Devlin has been appointed as accountant for standalone Lonsdale subsidiary, Lonsdale and Accountants Business Support Services (ABSS).

Devlin will be responsible for the financial and management accounting function for ABSS, and will also assist Modica with Lonsdale Financial Group’s budgeting and business planning .