Meet The Team
Leadership Team
Rob Vitnell
Acting Managing Director
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Rob joined AFRM in 2008. He has been in the financial services sector since 2001, including both paraplanning and advising roles in financial planning and financial risk management.
Rob holds a Diploma of Financial Services (Financial Planning), and a Bachelor of Commerce. Rob is a member of the Australian Association of Financial Advisers (AFA) and meets the standards set by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission for the financial services industry (RG 146).
Damien Jones
General Manager Services
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Damien joined AFRM in 2009. He has been in the financial services sector since 2005, with prior roles in Financial Investment & Risk Paraplanning.
His current role is General Manager Services, responsible for advice compliance, governance of AFRM's Financial Services License, management of adviser support teams and support to the Managing Director.
Amanda Anstess
General Manager - Client Relations
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Amanda is AFRM's longest serving team member, having joined the firm in 2001.
Amanda is responsible for Client Relations, overseeing the administration and claims management teams, and is absolutely committed to providing a highly personalised and professional service to AFRM's clients.
Wathana Farley
Company Accountant
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Wathana has been AFRM's Company Accountant since 2005. She has been vital in assisting the Directors through significant growth in the business.
Wathana completed her formal accounting qualification with a Bachelor of Commerce at Newcastle University.
Her qualifications allow her to ensure the financial processes and integrity of the financial and policy reporting of AFRM is completed to the highest standard.
Her role includes preparation of financial reports for the board of directors, payroll, liaison with external auditors and shareholders and assisting advisers with any financial requirements.
Advisers
Philip Hatherly
Financial Risk Analyst
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Philip joined AFRM in 2007, following 20 years of experience in the mining industry as a metallurgist.
Philip specialises in analysing the risk exposure of clients in the personal and business markets and managing claims.
Philip holds a Diploma of Financial Services (Financial Planning) and is a Justice of the Peace (JP).
Philip meets the standards set by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission for the financial services industry (RG 146).
Daniel Musumeci
Financial Risk Analyst
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Daniel joined AFRM in May 2006.
He has been working in the financial services industry for more than two decades, commencing in the sector as an accountant before moving into roles as a financial planner and specialist risk adviser.
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Daniel is a member of the Association of Financial Advisers (AFA) and holds an Advanced Diploma of Accounting.
Daniel meets the standards set by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission for the financial services industry (RG 146).
Chris Wlodarczyk
Financial Risk Analyst
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Chris first joined AFRM in March 2007, working as both a paraplanner and then Financial Adviser in NSW and also in Victoria after moving to Melbourne in 2013 to support AFRM’s Victorian clients.
Chris left AFRM in 2016 to join a prominent superannuation fund as Wealth Protection Adviser and Insurance Specialist.
In 2020, Chris returned to AFRM as a Financial Risk Analyst and Insurance Advisor. With his background as a paraplanner, Chris brings a wealth of technical knowledge to the advice process through product knowledge, policy structures and tax strategies.
Chris holds a Diploma of Financial Planning, a Degree in Finance (Majoring in Quantitative and Business Finance) from the University of Newcastle, NSW and meets the standards set by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission for the financial services industry (RG 146).
Sam Brennan
Financial Risk Analyst
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Sam joined AFRM in 2016 as a Paraplanner in our Newcastle office gaining an intricate knowledge of advice, products, structuring and contract analysis.
He holds a Bachelor of Business (Management/ International Business) as well as a Bachelor of Commerce (Finance) and a Diploma of Financial Planning.
Sam moved to Sydney in September 2017 to further his career resulting in promotion to the post of Financial Risk Analyst in 2018.
Paraplanners
Lindsey Lawrance
Paraplanning Team Leader
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Lindsey first joined AFRM in 2003 as a paraplanner.
Prior to joining AFRM, he gained experience in corporate and chartered accountancy. Lindsey left AFRM in 2006 to join a prominent stockbroking firm as a Private Client Advisor. In 2012, Lindsey returned to AFRM and today leads our Paraplanning team.
He holds a Bachelor of Commerce, Certificate IV in Financial Planning, Securities and Derivatives Association Accreditation and is ADA2 accredited by the ASX.
Lindsey meets the standards set by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission for the financial services industry (RG 146).
Brad Brown
Paraplanner
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Bradley joined AFRM in August 2019 as a paraplanner in our Newcastle office.
Bradley came to us with a background in banking and holds a Bachelor in Business/Commerce, majoring in International Business and Finance at The University of Newcastle.
Estelle Fouche
Client Service Administrator
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Estelle joined AFRM in April 2018 as a Client Service Administrator, providing support to AFRM's Melbourne-based Advisers.
Prior to joining AFRM, Estelle worked as an administrator in the real estate sector in Western Australia.
However, for the bulk of her career Estelle worked in administration in the stock broking sector in South Africa, including a 15-year stint as an Executive Assistant for Investec.
Samantha Conlon
Client Service Administrator
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Samantha joined AFRM in April 2018, and is currently working in client services and administration.
Samantha has 20 years experience in the insurance and banking sectors having worked in many different insurance roles including servicing clients with their general, commercial and personal insurance.
Mandy Rozario
Client Service Administrator
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Mandy joined AFRM in September 2019.
Prior to joining AFRM, Mandy served within a Newcastle-based financial institution for more than 28 years, handling all aspects of banking and customer service.
Denise Loades
Client Service Administrator
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Denise joined AFRM in October 2018.
Currently providing support to AFRM's Queensland-based clients, Denise enjoys building client relationships and working in AFRM's professional environment.
Denise has extensive experience in the financial services sector, including six years with Newcastle Permanent Building Society, and also in small business, including 15 years working within her family business with her husband.