AZ NGA appoints new group CFO

Financial advice and accountancy group AZ NGA (AZ Next Generation Advisory) has named former Fitzpatricks CEO Jodie Blackledge as group chief financial officer (CFO).

Blackledge replaces Dan Heckendorf as group CFO, AZ NGA confirmed. Heckendorf, a former Westpac and Pepper Money alum, had held the position for over two years, including an earlier stint as interim CFO.

AZ NGA group chief executive Paul Barrett said Blackledge joins at an “important time for the business,” as it focuses on “accelerating growth, expanding our range of services, and achieving our ambitious goals and targets”.

Blackledge left Fitzpatricks last September after four years at the helm of the group, which includes subsidiaries Fitzpatricks Private Wealth and Atrium Investment Management.

She also served as the firm’s chief operating officer and CFO, overseeing group strategy and acquisitions, before her appointment as CEO in late 2020.

Prior to Fitzpatricks, Blackledge was CFO at insurance services collective AUB Group and The Trust Company.

Barrett said the new CEO would work closely with him and the executive team “to leverage our commercial finance capabilities and drive sustainable value for employees, clients and shareholders”.

Blackledge said she was “excited to be part of AZ NGA” and its investment “in the future of the [wealth and advice] sector”.

“The financial advice sector has transformed over the last five to seven years, with the exit of the banks and the larger institutions and the rise of professional advisers. The investment AZ NGA is making in the industry will shape the future of advice for the next generation of advisers and clients.”

Founded in 2015 by former ANZ managing director of global advice, Paul Barrett, AZ NGA boasts a network of 34 partner firms, including financial advice and accounting businesses.

AZ NGA is backed by global investment management businesses Azimut, based in Italy, and the US’s Oaktree Capital Management.

Oaktree, AZ NGA’s largest shareholder, confirmed a $240 million investment in the group last September.

Also in December, AZ NGA finalised the deal with Entireti to acquire AMP’s advice licensees. At the same time, AZ NGA acquired AMP’s minority stakes in 16 of its practices.

Collectively, AZ NGA manages around $15.1 billion of assets under advice (as reported at 31 August 2024).