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who serve their clients

Elly joined ARA in January 2011 and, as the daughter of founder Alan, has always been closely connected to the business. She first became an owner in November 2018 and a Director of the company in 2020.

Since Broadleaf became a shareholder in January 2024, ARA has undergone a significant organisational transformation.

This has included changes to the company’s AFSL authorisations, the transition from a public to a private company, the appointment of an asset consultant and a new compliance consultant, and the retirement ofARA’s long-serving General Manager.

This period of change required Elly to step into a more senior leadership role, which she has done with confidence while balancing the demands of raising a young family.

She has increased her ownership in ARA and played an important role in supporting other team members to become next-generation owners. She continues to grow as a senior leader, Director and Responsible Manager. Under her leadership, ARA’s future as a family business is bright

Isabella joined Gilkison Group in 2020, having just graduated from university. Having no prior financial advisory experience, she started in a combined client service and technical support role, which allowed her to learn about financial advice from the ground up.

Based on her work ethic, dedication to serving clients, and ambition to grow personally, it quickly became apparent that a pathway to leadership and ownership would be required. Through hard work and deter mination, Isabella dispelled the myths about having to be older, or in a business for longer.

She is a Senior Financial Adviser, and became a major shareholder, Director and Responsible Manager in less than five years

Things don’t always go to plan. Tim’s son was diagnosed with a rare form of leukaemia, which led to Tim leaving the business to focus on Reilly’s treatment and be with his family. Happily, Reilly survived his treatment and has recovered strongly.

As a significant shareholder in Strategy First, Broadleaf set about finding someone to replace Tim as an Adviser, but also a shareholder. Then, to find a replacement for Greg as an Adviser, and a shareholder. Plus, this had to be done in a regional centre, which almost everyone said was impossible.

Leanne Brown came into Strategy First to replace Tim. She is a respected Financial Adviser and local in the southwest region. Caue was a Financial Adviser based in Perth with his young family, and is originally from Brazil. In pursuit of the opportunity, Caue and family moved to Bunbury and quickly became locals.

Leanne and Caue are now the majority owners of the business. Together with the long – standing Strategy First team, they are carrying forward Greg and Tim’s legacy to ensure it continues long into the future as the premier financial advisory business in the southwest region of Western Australia

Brhane is a young Financial Adviser and is developing as a leader at Finwest. He began his career with the firm in reception and administration, earning his opportunity through persistence, dedication, and a clear commitment to professional growth.

He has patiently developed as a young professional, consistently demonstrating commitment to the business, the team, and the clients served by Finwest. Brhane is a great example of what can be achieved in the Financial Advice profession through hard work and dedication.

As an entrepreneur and serial learner, he has pursued a range of business ventures and lectures in Financial Planning at Curtin University in Western Australia. As an owner and leader within Finwest’s growing team, he is helping shape the firm’s next chapter.