FAAA appoints industry veteran to senior policy & advocacy role

The Financial Advice Association Australia (FAAA) has created a new senior role to support the peak body’s advocacy and policy activities.

Advice industry veteran David Barrett will take on the inaugural role of senior manager of policy and advocacy, guiding the FAAA’s policy formulation, stakeholder relationship building, and the development of practical member tools and guidance.

Based in Sydney, he reports directly to FAAA’s general manager policy, advocacy and standards, Phil Anderson.

Welcoming Barrett to the new role, Anderson said the experienced financial advice professional would “provide a valuable contribution as we work to develop and refine our policy positions and engage with our stakeholders and members”.

Barrett’s most recent role was at Macquarie Bank as director and head of Macquarie Technical Advice Services, notching up more than 25 years with the financial services group.

He was also previously a private wealth adviser at UBS, and held analyst and paraplanning roles elsewhere.

Barrett was also a member of the Financial Services Council’s Advice Board Committee and Superannuation Board Committee, providing input and guidance on regulatory matters.

He also recently co-founded and serves as director of financial advice networking service Pax Services, which connects super fund members with relevant advisers.

Anderson recognised Barrett’s “extensive experience” in the advice space, “particularly in areas such as technical advice, regulatory impacts, and professional standards”.

“We look forward to David contributing to our ongoing efforts in shaping the future of financial advice in Australia.”