Financial planning hit new heights this week with the Queen's Birthday Honours list recognising the contribution of industry favourite Gwen Fletcher.
Fletcher was cited on the list for her service to financial planning, her contribution to education and training, and her mentoring of women.
It is believed to be the first such honour for someone from the advisory industry and as such is a big coup for both Fletcher and the industry. Congratulations all around.
Education has remained an extremely important part of the industry. And in the past few weeks it has been a big issue for many industry participants.
For Washington Post subsidiary Kaplan, the Australian financial services market was an attractive entry point into the Australian education marketplace when it purchased Tribeca in 2006 for $56 million.
This year it has chosen to pump another $36 million into the market with a further foray into financial services on the back of the proposed purchase of Finsia. However, Finsia has been seen as a jewel by publisher Fairfax, which is currently in the bidding for the education provider and has upped the offer to $42 million.
Pinnacle, PS146, Quantum Financial Training and others also provide education services to the industry. However, now education standards have risen and university graduates are entering the industry in greater numbers, the education needs have changed. Industry qualifications are easier to obtain online.
Continuing professional development points can be gained through a broad range of channels, including industry magazines, conferences and overseas study trips.
The standard of education provided and the level of education of industry practitioners provide a good barometer for the health of the whole industry.
Again, congratulations to Gwen and to all others helping in that field.
