The SMSF Association has announced the appointment of Neil Sparks as its new head of membership and corporate development.
Sparks enters his new role having had extensive involvement with the industry body in the past. He was elevated to become a fellow of the SMSF Association in 2020 and is a former member of its South Australian State Chapter committee.
Commenting on the appointment, SMSF Association chief executive Peter Burgess expressed his excitement at having a candidate with such a suitable background to be able to fill the position.
“Neil’s industry experience coupled with this SMSF technical knowledge and his deep understanding of the association’s values and members makes him an outstanding addition to our team,” Burgess said.
“The SMSF sector continues to grow strongly and along with it the demand for SMSF specialist advice. So having someone like Neil on our team, with his established adviser and licensee connections, will be invaluable in our quest to encourage more industry professionals to step up and become SMSF specialists.”
The new role will see Sparks take on the responsibility of driving membership growth and building bilateral and multilateral strategic alliances and partnerships with finance industry corporates, licensees and advice businesses.
“I am excited about the opportunity to work for an association I have had a long relationship with,” Sparks said.
“I have always admired its professionalism and values, so to be able to join a team that is dedicated to improving the quality of SMSF advice, and moving this sector forward, is incredibly exciting.”
Sparks joins the association after a stint with BT that commenced in July 2007. Most recently he was head of public policy and technical services at the financial services firm, a role he has had since 2021. Prior to this he was BT SMSF strategy national manager.
His appointment to the SMSF Association is effective from 1 May.