Akumin establishes first advice network partner since rebrand

In its first major recruitment move since its acquisition by Entireti and rebrand, Akumin (formerly AMP Financial Services) has added a Melbourne-based advice start-up to its Charter Financial Planning network.

Pinnova Partners was founded earlier this year by principal and former Mulcahy & Co financial adviser, James Clough, to provide advice across superannuation, investments, retirement planning, Centrelink and personal life insurance.

Akumin chief executive, Matt Lawler, said the partnership highlighted the firm’s ability to provide the flexible solutions and systems and tailored support necessary for advisers to establish their own practices.

“Our size, scale and experience uniquely position us to partner with businesses of all sizes and support advisers at all stages of their career to achieve their ambitions,” he said.

“James is a highly-qualified adviser who is passionate about delivering quality advice and growing his business.

“He represents the next generation of advice professionals and business leaders coming through and we are excited to partner with him to build his business from the ground up.”

Neil Younger, group chief executive of parent company Entireti, said Akumin was well positioned in its capabilities to grow adviser numbers by “training, mentoring and developing the next generation”.

“There’s a lot of focus on the professional year, and across Entireti there is a significant number of PY advisers, but we should also be fostering entrepreneurism and helping advisers to start and build their businesses,” he said.

“As a leading service provider to advice businesses, Entireti is committed to playing a leadership role in this area. Educating and training the next generation of advisers is very much in the DNA of Entireti, and particularly Akumin, and we want to continue that.”

Clough also confirmed that it was Akumin’s agile offering of support for single-adviser practices that drove the partnership.

“I wanted a partner who could provide a lot of support throughout the initial stages of our journey while also offering a very strong compliance framework,” he said.

“I’ve taken the plunge to start my own advice business, and I’m fortunate to have the backing of an established general insurance business that will provide a sound referral network, along with Akumin, which has demonstrated that they can deliver the services and support I need.”