Plenary Three - Minister & CEO: In Conversation / Staying Ahead: The evolution of advice

Thabojan Rasiah is a trusted voice in Australia’s financial advice industry, regularly contributing expert commentary to media outlets and industry publications. Known for breaking down complex financial topics into clear, actionable insights, he has become a go-to resource for journalists, conference organisers, and fellow advisers seeking perspective on market trends, superannuation, and retirement strategies.
With a career spanning over 20 years, Thabojan has built a reputation not only for delivering exceptional client outcomes but also for shaping public understanding of financial planning. He has appeared in national press, radio and podcasts, helping to raise the profile of quality financial advice and advocate for higher industry standards.
A sought-after speaker and panellist, Thabojan engages audiences with his ability to connect real-world experience with forward-looking industry insight. He is passionate about lifting financial literacy, inspiring trust in professional advice, and ensuring Australians have the tools and confidence to secure their financial future.

Nadia has established a successful track record in integrating customised compliance solutions that meet strategic and commercial objectives for Australian financial services licensees. As a Director of Kinetic Compliance, she uses her expertise consulting with AFS licensees on meeting regulatory requirements, advice reviews, due diligence for acquisitions, risk management and compliance frameworks, breach reporting, complaints handling and client remediation.  Her in depth knowledge acquired across various roles, combined with her passion for the industry and quality advice outcomes, position her perfectly to work with AFS Licensees in meeting their compliance obligations. Nadia was one of the magnificent 7 team of specialists who at Congress 2024, collaborated and presented a ground breaking Plenary session on - Reshaping the Delivery of Advice with the Client in Mind – Simplification of the SOA ahead of DBFO Tranche 2 changes.

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Angus works with data and emerging technologies to help consumers and businesses make better decisions in the financial services industry. As CFO of Virgin Money, he contributed to the launch of products in general insurance, life insurance, mortgages, and superannuation. He was also involved in establishing the Digital Currency Commerce Association, which later became Blockchain Australia, and worked with industry and government to support changes to GST laws on digital currencies. This included contributing to discussions with the Senate Economics Committee in the United States on how collaboration between government and industry can deliver better outcomes.
The Global Financial Crisis sparked Angus’s interest in financial planning and highlighted the need for higher standards of advice. This led him to found Adviser Ratings, following his earlier work helping to build One Big Switch, a consumer platform for energy, insurance, and banking. Today, the AR Group has grown into a data-focused business with services including Adviser Ratings, ARdata, Beddoes Institute, ProductRex, and the SMA Standard. Its goal is to build a trusted, permissioned data-sharing platform that helps organisations navigate wealth management through better information and gives advisers the tools to deliver better results for clients.
Angus serves on the Board of the UNSW AI Institute, holds a Master’s in Accounting, a Graduate Diploma in Applied Finance and Investment, and is a Certified Practicing Accountant.

Alison Henderson is a Director of independent financial planning firm SWA Financial Planning. With its head office based in Wollongong, SWA Financial Planning employs 14 financial advisers and over 30 staff, looking after approximately 1,500 client groups around the Illawarra region and beyond. Alison spends her both seeing clients, alongside attending to the ongoing management of the business.
SWA Financial Planning (under Licensee name of Symes Warne & Associates) have held their own AFSL (prior to 2003 Dealers Licence in Securities) since 1982. Alison first commenced with SWA in 1994.
Alison is a CFP and has a Bachelor of Commerce, as well as 2 Masters Degrees – with specialisations in economics, and in financial planning.
Alison was a Director on the Board of the FAAA (previously the FPA) between 2016 and 2022, and spent time as Chair of both the Professional Designations Committee and the Policy and Regulations Committee during this period. Alison currently sits on the ASIC Financial Advisers Consultative Panel, and continues to be an active advocate for the accessibility of affordable and understandable financial planning advice for all Australians.

Patrick Flynn is a strategist and change management expert with over 15 years’ experience across the financial advice profession. Having held leadership roles in a global corporate licensee and run his own consulting business, Patrick is known for cutting through complexity in advice operations and documentation - turning complex regulatory and operational challenges into workable, human-first solutions.

With experience spanning a global corporate and licensee, practices large and small, and his own consultancy, he helps advice businesses turn regulatory change into practical outcomes. A former Manager of Advice Innovation at Aon and founder of Simply Advice Websites, Patrick now brings his diverse experience to help practices navigate digital transformation, regulatory change, and operational design with clarity and confidence.

A recognised industry voice, Patrick brings a hands-on approach to improving how advice is delivered, documented, and understood. His writing on advice documentation, innovation in advice, and future reform has been a valuable contribution to the advice conversation. He blends deep industry knowledge with a practical lens — cutting through noise to help advice businesses thrive.

Watch Patrick's video