Emma Sakellaris has been appointed CEO of the member-owned financial services provider Foresters Financial.
Ms Sakellaris was formerly executive general manager at Australian Unity Trustees where she was responsible for establishing and launching the firm’s trustee company.
Commenting on the appointment, Foresters Financial chair Caroline Banhidy said Ms Sakellaris joined during a pivotal period for the firm.
“Emma’s expertise in the establishment and running of trustee companies, as well as her significant experience with management of client relationships, including multi-generational; charitable and estate law, and investment management make her a good fit for the team,” she said.
Most recently, Ms Sakellaris served as director of philanthropy and development at Rural Aid. She began her financial services career at ANZ Wealth before moving to ANZ Trustees.
After helping to lead the merger between ANZ Trustees and Equity Trustees, she became general manager of estates and trusts at the latter firm.
Ms Sakellaris holds a master of commercial law, a master of business administration and a master of employment and industrial relations law from Monash University and is also in the process of completing a master of social impact from Swinburne University of Technology.
This experience will help pave the way for Foresters during its next stage of growth, according to Ms Banhidy.
“In addition, her knowledge and passion for helping Australian families build and protect their finances aligns well with Foresters’ history and values of creating a better future for Australian communities,” she said.
The firm was originally founded in 1849 and currently manages more than $390 million worth of funds.
“Foresters has plans to launch a range of new products in 2022, as well as to expand its national footprint and quality of member and referral partner engagement,” added Ms Banhidy.
