Count Financial (Count) chief executive Marianne Perkovic approached Colonial First State (CFS) more than a month before her resignation from the dealer group.
Perkovic informed the market yesterday of her decision to resign from the listed financial services firm and join CFS as its general manager of distribution.
"For me personally it was more a challenge, a goal to try something different. I've been at Count for 11 and a half years and I've had a fantastic and wonderful time, I think like most people I really thought about some other changes to take on board," Perkovic said.
"I wasn't looking to leave Count to be honest with you but in a quest to take on a new challenge I thought about where I would want to work if I wasn't working at Count and who I'd want to work for and so that lead me to contact Brian [CFS chief executive Brian Bissaker]."
The reaction within Count over Perkovic's decision was mixed, she said.
"I think a lot of people understood the decision that I made which was good," Perkovic said.
"People were obviously surprised because I've been at Count for such a long time and with the advisers predominately I've had a relationship with them for 11 and a half years. I don't think a lot of people would have that tenure at a dealer group level."
Perkovic will begin her new role with CFS in January next year.
She replaces Paul Barrett who was appointed general manager to CFS's new advice division, Colonial First State Advice Business, in September.
Count chairman Barry Lambert will act as the firm's chief executive until a replacement is appointed in the new year, Count said.
