FAAA names 2025 advice awards winners

The Financial Advice Association Australia (FAAA) has announced the winners of its 2025 Awards at a gala dinner hosted in Perth on Wednesday night off the back of its 2025 Congress event.

With 18 finalists recognised across six categories, the awards honoured six recipients who “display leadership, innovation, client focus and an ongoing commitment to excellence at both an individual and practice level”.

The winners were:

• FAAA CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® Professional of the Year Award – Mark O’Flynn CFP® of Oxlade Financial, QLD
• FAAA Adviser of the Year Award – Christine Swanson of Prominent Financial Services, SA
• FAAA Professional Practice of the Year Award – Boutique Advisers Private Wealth, WA
• FAAA Inspire Women – Excellence in Advice Award – Kelly King of Iconic Wealth, WA
• FAAA Gen Next Rising Star of the Year – Aayush Sharma of Frost Financial Services, NT
• FAAA University Student of the Year Award – Katherine Mitterer, QLD

“The FAAA Awards recognise excellence in the financial advice profession and celebrate those demonstrating the highest standards of professionalism and care, and I congratulate all the winners and finalists at this year’s Awards,” FAAA chief executive, Sarah Abood, said.

“They are showcasing the positive and life-changing impact that financial advisers can have, particularly in Australia’s complex and ever-changing financial environment.

“This important recognition can’t happen without the help of our award sponsors, and we thank TAL, Zurich and UniSuper for their ongoing support and commitment to recognising excellence in our profession.”

With over two decades of experience in financial advice, O’Flynn was credited with showing dedication and committment to delivering improved outcomes for clients.

“Mark not only clearly demonstrated a level of technical excellence, incorporating engagement with all the professionals in a client’s life, but he also showed great empathy and professional judgement to adapt and deliver client first advice in times of considerable client distress,” FAAA Chair, David Sharpe CFP®, said.

“As an active member of the FAAA, Mark is passionate about the future role of the profession. I warmly congratulate Mark on being named this year’s FAAA CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® Professional of the Year.”

Swanson was also noted for her 38-year career and advocacy within the financial advice profession.

“Congratulations to Christine Swanson on this well-earned recognition. Ms Swanson’s dedication and expertise has truly set a benchmark for exceptional client outcomes. It was an honour to represent Zurich on the judging panel and witness the talent and passion displayed by Ms Swanson and all the nominees,” Kieran Forde, Head of Adviser Channel at Zurich (sponsor of the FAAA Adviser of the Year Award), said.

King, who also took out the Highly Commended spot at Financial Newswire‘s own Women in Wealth Awards 2024 in the Financial Planner of the Year – SA, WA category, was honoured for her “strong advocacy for females in financial advice and… her commitment to female causes”.

“Congratulations to Kelly King on being awarded the 2025 Inspire Women – Excellence in Advice Award. This award recognises advisers who lead with empathy, resilience and dedication, and Ms King is an outstanding example of the positive impact advice can have on clients, communities and our profession,” Beau Riley, General Manager – Retail Sales at TAL (sponsor of the FAAA Inspire Women – Excellence in Advice Award), said.

Sharma was also congratulated for his “passion and initiative” making him a “standout emerging adviser”, and Mitterer – who is currently studying for her Bachelor of Business (Financial Advice) at the University of South Australia – was honoured for her passion about advice and her driven worth ethic, making a career change whilst caring for her young family, completing online remote study and stepping into the role of President for the university’s financial planning student society.

“UniSuper congratulates Katherine Mitterer on being named the 2025 FAAA University Student of the Year. The award highlights the next generation of advice professionals who bring curiosity, integrity, and a genuine desire to make a difference. UniSuper is proud to support emerging talent and to partner with the FAAA in shaping the future of financial advice,” Andrew Gregory, Chief Advice Officer at UniSuper (sponsor of the FAAA University Student of the Year Award), said.