FPA crowns Gwen Fletcher award winner

Yasmine Raso

Senior Journalist, Financial Newswire

15 February 2023

The Financial Planning Association of Australia (FPA) has named Globe Financial Planning’s Jessica Dean as the recipient of the Gwen Fletcher Memorial Award for the 2022 Summer semester.

The award acknowledges the top performing student in the CFP Certification Unit for each semester as part of the FPA-run program, and rewards those who show a “demonstrable dedication to providing high-quality financial advice”.

Perth-based Dean has also completed a Bachelor’s degree in commerce at the University of Western Australia and received her Graduate Diploma of Financial Planning at Kaplan Professional in 2021.

“The CFP program allowed me the flexibility to apply myself to the core purpose of being an adviser, which is to consider the situation of all our clients, assess what are their best options, and write some good advice based on that,” Dean said.

“In my previous study, I was learning from generic examples that didn’t really translate to the real world. What’s great about the CFP program was that the questions and the exams are quite real, nuanced, and complex, which is what human beings are.

“Having undertaken the CFP program has enabled me to really challenge my own ways of thinking and has really prepared me for advising in the real world. Now I feel more ready to think outside the box and handle complex client situations than I did previously.”

The CFP program has enjoyed a close to five per cent increase when compared to last year, with over 213,000 CFP professionals globally.

“What Jessica has achieved is outstanding. The Gwen Fletcher Award reflects an ongoing dedication to the highest levels of professionalism in financial planning,” FPA chief executive, Sarah Abood, said.

“Gwen was a pioneer in financial planning education and elevated the profession to new heights, and I am confident that Jessica will continue this proud legacy.

“The CFP Certification Program is an integral part of the FPA’s work to bring the financial planning profession forward and assist planners with the skills and confidence to deliver the best quality financial advice to Australians.”