2024 FAAA award recipients recognised at ceremony

Off the back of this year’s Financial Advice Association of Australia (FAAA) Congress held in Brisbane, the FAAA also recognised six winners at its second financial advice awards night.

The winners, hailing from all over Australia, were honoured in six professional categories:

• FAAA CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® Professional of the Year Award
  • Bianca Musico, WARR HUNT
• FAAA Professional Practice of the Year Award
  • Capital Partners, WA
• FAAA Adviser of the Year
  • John Cachia, Thriving Wealth
•  FAAA Inspire Women – Excellence in Advice Award
  • Deline Jacovides, CFP®, Mazi Wealth
• FAAA Gen Next Rising Star of the Year
  • Jakob Ayres, Apt Wealth Partners Melbourne
• The FAAA University Student of the Year Award
  • Emma McKenzie

“The FAAA awards recognise excellence within the Australian financial advice profession and celebrate those demonstrating the highest standards of professionalism and care,” FAAA General Manager for Membership, Tania Milnes, said.

“I congratulate all the winners and the finalists at this year’s awards. Together, we can celebrate the best of financial planning in Australia.”

Musico first joined the financial advice firm in 2013, having been named Principal in 2024.

“Bianca has demonstrated a clear passion for the financial planning profession, and we commend her selfless focus on developing talent in our profession,” FAAA chief executive, Sarah Abood, said.

“Bianca has played a key role in helping her clients achieve their financial goals for more than a decade, and she is to be congratulated as this year’s FAAA CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® Professional of the Year.”

Perth-based Capital Partners was recognised for its “holistic approach to financial advice” and its significant growth over the last 20 years, now with 50 staff members.

Cachia boasts over two decades of experience in financial services, and was congratulated for combining “the wealth coaching and behavioural finance disciplines with financial planning”.

“Being part of the judging panel and seeing first-hand the talent and passion from all nominees has been an honour. John demonstrated outstanding expertise and commitment to delivering exceptional client outcomes. Congratulations on this well-deserved achievement,” Kieran Forde, Head of Adviser Channel at Zurich Australia, who sponsored the FAAA Adviser of the Year award, said.

Jacovides was honoured for her encouragement of women representation in and women seeking financial advice, as well as her “fierce” advocacy for bridging the superannuation gender gap and improving financial literacy.

“Deline should be applauded for being an outstanding financial adviser and giving back to her community by empowering more women to take control of their financial futures,” Beau Riley, General Manager, Retail Sales & New Business at TAL, who sponsored the FAAA Inspire Women – Excellence in Advice Award, said.

Provisional adviser Ayres was awarded for his “passion for helping others and making a difference in the community”, while McKenzie’s “commitment to… bridging the advice gap for Australians in regional areas really stood out” according to Abood.

“UniSuper celebrates the recognition of Emma McKenzie,” Andrew Gregory, General Manager, Financial Advice and Education at UniSuper, who sponsored the FAAA University Student of the Year award, said.

“This award holds a special place in our hearts as we understand the transformative power of education. Alongside the FAAA, UniSuper are committed to nurturing the next generation of advice professionals in the sector.”

“Financial advice is critically important for all Australians in maximising their financial resilience, achieving their goals and having confidence about what the future holds,” Abood said.

“The FAAA awards are a way of recognising dedicated advisers who are committed to helping fellow Australian achieve better financial outcomes.”