Upheaval continues at Deakin
Former Tyndall Australia managing director Rod Hunwick has taken over the reigns as chairman and executive director of Deakin Financial Services, following the resignation of chairman John McConnell and further changes to the board.
The financial planning, stock broking and general financial services group has also raised $495,000 through the issue of three million shares to “meet the changed regulatory environment and the consolidation of the financial services industry”.
McConnell’s resignation marks the fourth departure from the financial services group in the past month. Deakin’s group secretary, Derek Russell resigned on the same day as McConnell, while acting chief executive officer Peter Grant and director Graeme Hannan also announced their departures last week.
Hunwick will now team up with Murray Hills as managing director, and Mark Simari as director/secretary, replacing Grant and Russell, respectively.
Recommended for you
The Finance Union Sector has criticised AMP’s decision to move jobs offshore and questioned “what they will strip away next” in the ongoing business simplification.
Count is looking to adviser recruitment, acquisition of financial planning fee parcels, and cross-selling to accounting clients to improve its financial planning revenue as well as a fourfold M&A strategy.
The Perth-based wealth management firm has formed a strategic partnership with an accounting business in Brisbane, signifying its expansion into Australia’s east coast.
Large wealth management players are increasingly taking an opportunistic approach to their M&A deals rather than a strategic one, while a fear of missing out is driving smaller players to consider selling up.