Australian Financial Industry Awards 2025 – Judges

JUDGES

The success and credibility of the Australian Financial Industry Awards are built upon the expertise, diligence, and integrity of our distinguished panel of judges. Each judge brings a wealth of knowledge and industry experience, ensuring that the awards reflect the highest standards of excellence and innovation within the financial, tax, superannuation, and advisory sectors. Our judges embody a commitment to professionalism and impartiality, carefully evaluating each nomination to recognise those who exemplify leadership, creativity, and significant contributions to the profession. We are honoured to introduce this esteemed group of professionals whose collective efforts uphold the values and aspirations of our industry.

Daniel Butler

Dan is recognised as one of Australia’s leading SMSF lawyers complemented by his taxation and commercial expertise. He has worked predominantly in the fields of tax and superannuation over the past 40 years, is a qualified Chartered Tax Adviser, Chartered Accountant and has an MBA from the University of Melbourne. 
 
Dan presents on the subject of Taxation of Superannuation at the University of Melbourne’s Master of Laws/Tax program. Dan is also a regular seminar presenter on tax and SMSF topics and has published extensively in these areas. Dan regularly presents for numerous professional bodies including the SMSF Association, The Tax Institute and DBA Network. 
 
Dan is a member of The Tax Institute’s National Superannuation Committee, the Law Institute of Victoria’s Tax Committee and is involved with a number of other tax and SMSF committees. Dan is also a Specialist SMSF Advisor™. 

George Haramis

George Haramis has been successfully involved in the financial services industry for 30 years in various executive roles with some of Australia’s leading domestic and international financial institutions.
 
George’s roles have included: being a founder of a listed advice business, working with a number of Australia’s largest superannuation funds in presenting fund management solutions, establishing both retail and wholesale distribution channels, working closely with the accounting profession by assisting accounting firms establish successful wealth & advice businesses, creating unique employee benefits programmes for employers and being responsible for two of the country’s largest institutionally owned Dealer Groups: Securitor and RetireInvest – which at the time managed in excess of $10B for over 80,000 clients.
 
George is now the Co-Founder of Fiduciary Financial Services Pty Ltd.

Gino Coiera

Gino boasts nearly four decades of experience as a certified Accountant and Tax Agent, with a decade dedicated to serving as an SMSF Auditor.

As one of the founding members of The Auditors Institute, the organization was established to offer cohesive representation in a profession growing in litigation risk. It also provides valuable guidance, training, and support through forums, webinars, and seminars in collaboration with the regulator.

After an extensive career in the banking sector, Gino transitioned into Public Practice in 2000. Operating from his business in Wetherill Park, he adopts a personalized approach to assist small to medium-sized businesses and a diverse portfolio of SMSF clients.

Joshua Goldsmith

Joshua Goldsmith is a senior lawyer specialising in taxation and commercial advisory. Joshua’s experience is broad and diverse including advising family groups, small cap listed and private companies, and high net wealth individuals. Joshua was a finalist in Lawyers Weekly 30 Under 30 awards (for Taxation) in 2021 and a winner of the Australian Lawyer Rising Star award in 2022, acknowledging that he is a rising star in the tax and legal profession. He is a regular presenter and facilitator at tax related seminars and discussion groups, and has appeared on a number of tax related podcasts.

Natasha Panagis

Natasha is a highly experienced wealth management specialist, brings her extensive expertise in superannuation, SMSFs, retirement planning, taxation, estate planning, insurance, social security, and aged care to this monthly wrap. Her ability to interpret and disseminate complex information in an understandable and practical manner has made her a sought-after commentator in the media. Actively involved in shaping Australia’s financial services industry, Natasha’s policy and advocacy positions influence government, regulators, and key stakeholders.

Phil Broderick

Phil is a principal of Sladen Legal and heads its superannuation team. He is member of a number of superannuation related committees. This includes being a member of The Tax Institute’s superannuation committee and the chair of the Institute of Financial Professionals Australia (IFPA) technical and policy committee.
 
He is also a member of number of the ATO’s superannuation liaison groups including the Superannuation Industry Relationship Network (SIRN) and the Superannuation Industry Stewardship Group (SISG). Phil is also heavily involved in liaising with Treasury and ATO in relation to the implementation of new super laws and administrative practices.
 
 
Phil’s areas of practice include superannuation, duties and state taxes, estate planning and succession, trusts, federal tax and business structuring.
 
Phil was listed in the 2020 to 2023 Best Lawyers Australia for superannuation law and was the winner of the SMSF Association’s SMSF Specialist Advisor (SSA) Top Achiever Award in 2019. His articles have featured in The Tax Institute’s Taxation in Australia Journal and CCH’s Super News. He has presented at seminars and conferences conducted by The Tax Institute, the SMSF Association, TEN The Education Network, Legalwise and various accounting bodies.

Ritesh Srivastava

Ritesh is a technology entrepreneur and strategic advisor specialising in empowering property, finance, and wealth creation businesses through innovative digital solutions. With extensive experience consulting to CEOs and boards of listed companies and government bodies, Ritesh has consistently delivered transformative strategies that drive growth and technological advancement.
 
As an investor and architect of the Chameleon Platform, Ritesh has pioneered an accessible AI and digital infrastructure designed to simplify modern technology adoption for businesses of all sizes through a no-code dashboard interface. This platform offers ready-to-use subscription-based solutions tailored for the financial services industry, including bespoke modules for mid-to-large enterprises (wrapgpt.digitalchameleon.ai), brokers (broker.digitalchameleon.ai), advisers (adviser.digitalchameleon.ai), accountants (accountant.digitalchameleon.ai), and other professionals (chatlink.digitalchameleon.ai).
 
Beyond his work with the Chameleon Platform, Ritesh co-founded nestegg.loans, an innovative residential property lending solution in Australia that offers up to 100% LVR by leveraging crypto funds, and willeasy.au, an estate planning service that enables client self-evaluation and digital fact-finding, streamlining traditionally sensitive conversations.
 
Ritesh also leads CXO consulting engagements through epictenet.com, where he specialises in core banking solutions evaluation and implementation, AI-driven and digital solutions, and conducting due diligence for investments and acquisitions. His unique blend of technological expertise, strategic insight, and deep industry knowledge has established him as a trusted partner for driving digital transformation in complex, highly regulated sectors.

Scott Heathwood

Scott started his career in the investment banking environment in 1986, before entering the retail financial services sector, where he has worked for over 25 years. For most of the time since 1990, Scott has been Managing Director of an organisation dealing in financial services and direct property. He has experience in corporate finance, retail financial services, property development, managed investment schemes and all other aspects of the Wealth management system. Scott is a director of the Gallipoli Club and the Institute of Financial Professionals Australia.
 
MA, MBA, LLM | Director, Lifestyle Asset Management Pty Ltd | Director Lifestyle Property Wealth Pty Ltd and Lifestyle Tax & Accounting Pty Ltd | Director, Stonewall Capital Pty Ltd | Director, Wealthy & Wise Lifestyle Planning Pty Ltd | Director, Investment Property Warehouse Pty Ltd | Director, Gallipoli Memorial Club

Stuart Sheary

Stuart Sheary is a highly respected financial services professional with over 20 years of industry experience, specialising in superannuation, social security, and self-managed superannuation funds (SMSFs). With a strong technical background and a deep understanding of Australia’s financial and regulatory landscape, Stuart has built a career dedicated to providing financial professionals with clear, actionable guidance in these complex areas.

Stuart is well known for his ability to simplify intricate legislative and technical matters, equipping advisers with the knowledge they need to navigate regulatory changes and strategic financial planning. His expertise is demonstrated through regular presentations at industry events, contributions to technical literature, and ongoing support for financial professionals seeking to enhance their understanding of superannuation and SMSFs. His technical acumen and practical approach make him a valued resource in the financial services sector.

Before joining the Institute of Financial Professionals Australia (IFPA), Stuart held a number of pivotal technical roles where he provided expert guidance and support to financial advisers on a range of complex financial planning matters. His ability to interpret and apply legislation in a real-world advisory context has been instrumental in helping advisers deliver better outcomes for their clients.

Stuart holds a Bachelor of Economics and a Bachelor of Arts. He is also a Certified Financial Planner (CFP®) and a Specialist SMSF Advisor (SSA®) accredited by the SMSF Association, reflecting his commitment to professional excellence.

With a passion for technical education and adviser support, Stuart continues to contribute meaningfully to the industry, ensuring financial professionals stay informed, confident, and well-equipped to navigate the evolving financial services landscape.

Terry Blenkinsop

Terry is a highly respected professional with over 35 years of experience in accounting, specialising in business services, tax consultancy and compliance, estate planning, and international business. Renowned for his dedication to developing and maintaining strong personal relationships, Terry is driven by a commitment to helping clients achieve their goals with expert, practical, and timely guidance.
 
His extensive work with HLB International sees him assisting clients in navigating complex international arrangements, fostering offshore opportunities, and supporting overseas businesses establishing operations in Western Australia. Terry’s client portfolio prominently features family businesses and the health sector, where he provides specialised advice on medical practice issues and GST matters for health professionals.
 
A seasoned public speaker, Terry regularly shares his insights and expertise at business and medical conferences. He currently serves as the State President and is a past National President of Taxpayers Australia Inc. Additionally, Terry holds the esteemed role of Chair of the Asia Pacific Regional Development Committee for HLB International, demonstrating his influential position and commitment to excellence in the industry.
 
B.Bus, FCA, CTA, F Fin, CPA, AIMM, FTPA (TAX) Immediate Past Chairman of HLB International – Asia Pacific Region | Director of TAI Practitioners & Advisers Ltd | Chair of Ethics Committee, TAI Practitioners & Advisers Ltd | Director of Tax Australia Pty Ltd