New boss to bridge BT/ Westpac adviser gap
WestpacandBThave appointed Scott Walters in the redefined role of head of financial planning, replacing Brett Himbury who left Westpac last month.
The scope of the role, previously confined to Westpac Financial Planning and Advice, has been broadened to bridge the gap between Westpac’s advisory network and BT’s wealth management business.
Previously chief executive atMerrill Lynch HSBC, Walters will report to both Paul Lilley, general manager, sales and service at Westpac and David Clarke, BT Financial Group chief executive, reflecting his dual accountabilities.
“With responsibility for developing the strategic positioning of the advisory network across all Westpac channels, this role involves leveraging the best of both worlds — Westpac’s business and consumer banking distribution expertise and BT’s wealth management knowledge,” Lilley says.
Walters has also held numerous roles at Deutsche Bank, including director of private banking, and director and head of private stockbroking.
Himbury left the group in April due to wide-ranging changes within Westpac, despite being offered an alternative role. He is currently in a short-term contract advisingTower Australiaon the restructure of its dealer group, Pivotal.
Recommended for you
ASIC has cancelled a Sydney AFSL for failing to pay a $64,000 AFCA determination related to inappropriate advice, which then had to be paid by the CSLR.
A former Brisbane financial adviser has been charged with 26 counts of dishonest conduct regarding a failure to disclose he would receive substantial commission payments for investments.
Inefficient data processes and systems mean advisers are spending over half of their time on product implementation and administration at the expense of clients, according to research.
With the regulator announcing its enforcement focus for 2025 last week, law firm Hall & Wilcox examines the areas which have dropped down the list in priority for the regulator.
