Sequoia adds to advice support team

Sequoia Financial Group Limited has announced three new executive appointments to support the frontline services the group provides to its national advice community.

Garry Crole, Managing Director of Sequoia, said the appointments of industry professionals with financial services experience and expertise align with the firm’s focus on supporting its advice network.

“Our objective is to utilise scale to drive down the cost of providing advice and the recent acquisition and incorporation of Docscentre Legal Pty Ltd (previously known as Topdocs Legal Pty Ltd) is a high-profile confirmation of Sequoia’s commitment to enhancing its adviser focused services and mission,” he said.

Barry Strapps has been appointed Regional Manager for South Australia and Western Australia based in Adelaide. Before he joined InterPrac, a subsidiary of Sequoia, Strapps enjoyed roles at Centrepoint, Asteron and AMP, assisting advisers and accountants to build their businesses.

Paul Griffiths, the new Regional Manager for Victoria and Tasmania based in InterPrac’s Melbourne office, was previously a Regional Manager at Centrepoint. He has experience in assisting practices to improve efficiency and enhance long-term business success.

Jaclyn Bazin has been named InterPrac’s Adviser Technology Consultant based in Brisbane. She brings over 14 years of industry experience, expertise in Xplan and a previous role as Senior Advice Technology Consultant at the Queensland-based practice, Enzumo.

Crole also said Sequoia will be looking to continue seeking out acquisition opportunities in the financial advice and wealth management areas that are cashflow positive and profitable.

“Sequoia’s Wealth division will continue to grow as the major banks exit financial advice and advisers seek a licensee that can pro-actively assist them to maximise business opportunities and effectively navigate regulatory and compliance demands,” he said.

“It is particularly pleasing that in this environment Sequoia, is regarded as a ‘licensee of choice’ by so many advisers on the move because of our premium services and facilities that are delivered by industry professionals dedicated to assisting advice practices achieve growth and client service goals – as demonstrated by the three new appointments.”