The second annual Institute of Financial Professionals Australia (IFPA) Australian Financial Industry Awards was held last Friday at the Fullerton Hotel in Sydney with around 200 industry stakeholders in attendance.
Awards were presented to financial services firms and individual practitioners across 30 categories, with the industry body categorising the following as the headline winners on the night:
- Australian Financial Professional of the Year – Michael Driessen, GDA Financial Services,
- Australian Financial Practice of the Year – TAG Financial Services,
- Financial Adviser of the Year – William Johns, Health & Finance Integrated,
- Accountant of the Year – Krishan Sharma, KNS Accountants,
- SMSF Adviser of the Year – Michael Driessen, GDA Financial Services,
- Independent Dealer Group of the Year – Finchley & Kent, and
- CEO Certificate of Meritorious Service – Scott Heathwood.
Commenting on the event, IFPA chief executive Ky Wilson said: “[Friday] night showed a profession that is confident, skilled and serious about results. Our winners and finalists invest in their people, deliver measurable outcomes for clients and hold the line on quality. That is how a strong sector builds trust and lifts standards, and we are proud to showcase it.”
IFPA chair Stephen Ware described the awards as a clear win for the finance industry.
“Hundreds turned out to celebrate results that were hard earned. Our members are the backbone of small business growth across Australia and IFPA is proud to recognise their achievements, their standards and their contribution,” Ware noted.
SMSF Adviser of the Year Michael Driessen expressed his great honour to receive such acknowledgement.
“It is recognition of a team that turns technical skill into practical outcomes for clients, day in and day out. We believe in personal responsibility, straight talking and advice that stands up to scrutiny, and we invest in our people so that standard never slips. Thank you to IFPA, the judges, my peers, our clients and my family for their support. The real credit belongs to the clients who trust us with their future and to the many professionals who keep lifting the bar across our industry,” Driessen explained.
The full list of award winners and finalists for 2025 can be found here.
