SMSF legal firm Townsends Lawyers has recruited a former Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) staffer to a superannuation research and advice role.
Townsends announced Maria Siu will take on the role of superannuation special counsel and will work with legal staff and clients from the legal firm and its associated administration and documentation business, SuperCentral.
Siu comes to the role after having previously worked with Standard Chartered Bank, APRA, Deutsche Bank, Colonial Financial Planning, Godfrey Pembroke and BT Portfolio Services in senior compliance, technical services and strategic product development roles.
Townsends Lawyers principal and SuperCentral managing director Peter Townsend said Siu’s experience and qualifications in law, tax and financial advice would strengthen the services offered by Townsends and SuperCentral.
“We are delighted to welcome Maria to the firm. She will be an invaluable addition to our team with the remit of focusing on the promotion and delivery of our technical advice and compliance services at the highest quality level.
“The financial services sector has faced a crisis of confidence and trust by many parts of the industry, the regulators and the public, but we know that accountants and financial planners working in the self-managed superannuation space are committed to providing the highest possible service levels.
“Our support team is focused on helping advisers with the professional legal expertise and advice they need as the sector changes in the face of new regulations and public expectations.”
