The Association of Financial Advisers (AFA) has named Phil Anderson as chief executive following the decision of Helen Morgan-Banda, who was appointed to the role in August 2021, to return to New Zealand.
Anderson, who has been the AFA General Manager Policy and Professionalism since mid-2017, was acting chief executive for six months during 2021 after the departure of Phil Kewin in March of that year and before the appointment of Morgan-Banda.
The elevation of Anderson to the chief executive role was confirmed to selfmanagedsuper by the AFA which stated he would continue to work in the area of policy in keeping with his new role.
AFA President Sam Perera said the board of the association thanked Morgan-Banda for her efforts in the last five months and “respect her decision to return to her homeland during an unprecedented period of global uncertainty.”
Morgan-Banda also thanked the AFA for being able to contribute to its work during a time of change for the advice sector, practitioners and association.
“The ongoing uncertainty surrounding access to New Zealand and between states in Australia because of the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly the Omicron variant, has meant that I have decided I wish to go to Melbourne to be close to family before returning to my home country, and family there, when the border allows,” Morgan-Banda said.
Perera said, despite the recent changes, the AFA started the new year with “a clear strategy along with a dedicated and hard-working team”.
“We will strengthen our voice in advocating for policy settings that support vibrant and thriving financial advice practices.
“We are intent on bringing our communities back together to network, share and socialise in fun and safe environments around the country.
“The Board is highly engaged in developing strategies to ensure the AFA and its important work endures into the future,” he said.
