Mercer opens external financial advice practice

Scott Walters

Mercer Wealth Solutions has announced the opening of its first external financial advice practice in north western Sydney.

The opening of the practice at Baulkham Hills comes less than three months after the new external financial advice channel was launched.

Mercer financial advice leader Scott Walters said the channel offered financial planners the ability to receive support from Mercer while maintaining their independence.

“By joining the Mercer Wealth Solutions network, financial advisers who have built their practice and relationships in their local area can now grow with the support and technical knowledge of our well respected brand,” Walters said.

Practice director of the new business, John Tsekas, said he was attracted by the scale Mercer offered while allowing him independence.

“We were attracted by being able to retain the boutique nature of our business, which has been operating for more than 25 years, while also having access to Mercer’s referrals, international and technical research, global and local thought leadership, professional development, and high quality investment solutions,” Tsekas said.

According to Walters, Mercer intends to further grow the new financial advice channel across regional Australia.

“We’re seeking skilled advisers to work with us in areas such as Bendigo, Ballarat and Geelong in Victoria, Albury and Wodonga on the NSW/Victorian border, Karratha, Darwin and Gladstone in northern Australia, and in the major centres of Canberra, Wollongong, Hobart and Gold Coast,” he said.

“In return for upholding Mercer’s strict global codes of conduct and stringent professional development requirements, our external financial advisers can access the breadth and depth of Mercer’s financial adviser support team as well as referrals to members seeking financial advice.”