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Inaugural Lifetime Achievement Award winners announced
Advice
19 January 2018
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Three advisers from AMP’s advice network have been honoured with Lifetime Achievement Awards – the first time AMP has handed out such an accolade.  

Geoff Cattach from AMP Financial Planning, Max Lewis from Hillross and Ross Vanderwolf from Charter Financial Planning were all recognised in front of their peers during AMP’s 2018 Advice Summit. While each has a distinctive story there is a common thread that binds them all – a strong passion for and commitment to the communities they live and work in.

Group Executive Advice and New Zealand, Jack Regan said it was important to recognise outstanding financial advisers and highlight the valuable role advisers play in their communities.

“Many of our advisers are very much pillars of their local communities,” Mr Regan said.

“By earning the respect of their peers and the thanks of their clients and communities these advisers help show the way forward for our profession,” Mr Regan said.

Geoff Cattach, AMP Financial Planning, WA

Geoff has served the regional town of Harvey in south-west WA for more than half a century, having first established his AMP Financial Planning business, Cattach and Cattach, in 1965. As well as demonstrating the value of good financial advice to his community, Geoffrey has been an active participant in all aspects of life in Harvey.

He served as Chairman of the Local Hospital Board for 25 years, was part of the Harvey Rotary Club for 26 years and established the Children’s Leukaemia and Cancer Research Foundation, of which he is still Chairman of today. To date the Foundation has raised $34 million for research into a cure for cancer and the AMP Foundation has been a long-standing contributor.
In 2009, Geoff was honoured with membership in the General Division of the Order of Australia. In 2014, he was a finalist for WA Senior Australian of the Year.

Geoff knows the importance of  your reputation is in a country town, and the strength of his client base – including up to four generations from the same family - is a testament to his work ethic and integrity over five decades. Indeed, Geoffrey’s first client from 1965 is still with him today.

Max Lewis, Hillross, NSW

For more than three decades, Max Lewis has been a staple of the Blue Mountains community, both through his Hillross practice, Lewis Financial Advisory Group, and through his vast work with various local organisations.

In addition to his extensive resume of community work, Max has played a role in successfully lobbying for amendments to super legislation, to help more Australians be able to retire right.

With such a storied career, it’s a testament to Max’s character that he considers his greatest achievement to be his role as mentor and coach to numerous advisers over the last three decades.

Ross Vanderwolf,  Charter, Qld

Over a 36-year career, Ross Vanderwolf, of Rothgard Financial Partners in Fortitude Valley, Queensland has seen much change in the industry. A self-employed Charter adviser, Ross has prospered through four significant mergers and acquisitions, moving from T&G to National Mutual, then AXA and finally with AMP.

Ross is a two-time State adviser of the year for Charter and won the Gerald Lippman award, given to the  adviser who has  made the greatest contribution to the progress of Charter during the previous year.

Within the industry, Ross has a sterling reputation as a generous and sage mentor to other advisers, having helped establish and lead mentoring programs for Charter advisers, with a particular focus on the attainment and retaining of necessary qualifications and professional development.

Ross was the first Australian nominated to the executive of committee of the Million Dollar Round Table, a leading international network of financial services professionals who serve their clients with the highest standards of ethics, knowledge, service and productivity.

Congratulations to all of the recipients of AMP’s inaugural Lifetime Achievement Awards.

Click here for more information about AMP’s advice network or to find out more about becoming an adviser.