The people behind the strategy

Peter Wilson is the CEO and founder of Strategic Wealth Management Solutions Pty Ltd and is an accomplished financial planner and business manager with over 30 years of practical experience.

Professional Background

Peter has gained his corporate knowledge over 20 years, working for a multinational company in a variety of senior roles that include business planning, trading, general management, sales and marketing. Along with a thorough understanding of financial planning issues, Peter brings a broad business perspective to the development of financial plans. His skills are equally relevant to Executives, Professionals and Retirees, as well as small business owners.

As part of his corporate experience, Peter spent six years living and working for a multinational company as an expatriate in Asia and the USA. This experience enables him to provide expert expatriate financial planning advice, offering insights and solutions that can only be gained through direct experience.

Qualifications, Specialisations and Accreditations

Peter also specialises in Self Managed Superannuation Funds (SMSFs), family trusts and contingency management (risk and estate planning), which allows him to provide expert advice on these investment structures and important issues both within and outside Australia.

Peter has a Diploma of Financial Planning from Deakin University and a Bachelor of Science from Monash University. He has completed the CFP^® Certification Program and is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ practitioner member of the Financial Planning Association. Peter is also 'Quality Advice' accredited under the Godfrey Pembroke licensee framework. He recently gained his SMSF Specialist Advisor™ qualification through the SPAA.

Awards

In recognition of his service to the industry, Peter was recently awarded the peer-voted Godfrey Pembroke Consultant of Year award in September 2009 and, in November 2009, was awarded winner of the Financial Planning Association's (FPA) Value of Advice Award in the Wealth Accumulation and Protection category.

Spare Time

In his spare time, Peter enjoys relaxing with his four children, boating and playing golf. He is a keen St Kilda supporter, and is patiently waiting for that glorious Grand Final win.

With 13 years of experience in the financial services industry, Adrian Vidotto completed his Bachelor of Business in Financial Planning in 2001. Now a part owner of Strategic Wealth, Adrian has completed the CFP^® Certification Program and is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ practitioner member of the Financial Planning Association. Adrian is also 'Quality Advice' accredited under the Godfrey Pembroke licensee framework.

Adrian and Strategic Wealth's CEO and Principal Consultant, Peter Wilson, have worked together closely for the past six years to provide solutions for clients based in Australia and around the globe. A highly skilled technical specialist, Adrian is adept at dealing with complex client issues and acts as mentor to Strategic Wealth's team of Technical Specialists.

A passionate Collingwood Football Club supporter, in his spare time, Adrian also enjoys watching and playing cricket and golf.

Ben Dascal is one of Strategic Wealth's talented Associate Advisers, contributing to the development of strategic and technical advice for our clients. Ben has nine years of experience in the financial services industry, having completed his Bachelor of Business (Financial Planning) at RMIT University in 2004. Ben has completed the CFP^® Certification Program and is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ practitioner member of the Financial Planning Association.

Outside of the office, Ben is an accomplished poker player, as well as an avid North Melbourne Football Club supporter.

Sharon Chau is an Associate Adviser with Strategic Wealth. Sharon has been involved in the provision of financial services since 2001. She holds the Advanced Diploma of Financial Services (Financial Planning). In addition, Sharon also holds a Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting & Finance) and Bachelor of Arts. She is also a Senior Associate of the Financial Services Institute of Australasia (Finsia) and a member of the Financial Planning Association.

Sharon has extensive knowledge in a broad range of financial planning areas including wealth creation and retirement planning. During this time, she also worked with a risk management specialist, where she focused on developing comprehensive risk management solutions for individuals and business owners.

Sharon enjoys the challenge of continuously improving her skills and knowledge to assist clients in maximising their lifestyle choices by placing them in control of their financial future.

Sharon's interests include reading and dining out.

Kaylene Kachel is Strategic Wealth's Practice Manager. In this important role, Kaylene oversees our administration and practice management functions, including marketing, technology, people and process management.

Kaylene has over 25 years of experience in the financial services industry with a background in Accounting, Taxation, Financial Planning and Operations Management. She holds a Bachelor of Business, as well as a Diploma in Financial Services. Kaylene is also a Justice of the Peace.

When not busy looking after the practice, Kaylene indulges in the Arts, with dance being a favourite, or scuba dives when the weather is fair.

Awards

In recognition of her hard work and dedication to the Practice, Kaylene was recently awarded the peer-voted national Godfrey Pembroke Practice Team Member of the Year award in August 2010.

As Marketing and Administration Coordinator, Nicolette provides professional administration and communication services to the team. She brings experience in events, media relations and public relations strategies. Having completed a Post Graduate Diploma in Public Relations at RMIT University, Nicolette has recently been awarded an International Golden Key Award for graduating in the top 15 percent.

Nicolette has also had experience working in Europe for international companies based in London. As part of her Bachelor of Contemporary Arts, she had the opportunity to study in Asia for six months. Outside of work Nicolette enjoys the outdoors, skiing and art.

For the past 6 years Iwona has been involved in all aspects of administration of a financial planning practice and in providing technical support to financial advisers. She has completed a Diploma of Financial Planning is keen to develop her knowledge of the industry and to complete her Advanced Diploma of Financial Services. As Client Services Officer, Iwona is the first point of contact for all client queries. Her primary aim is to ensure clients receive the highest quality advice and communication. Her role also involves assisting with the implementation of advice and processing of client's appplications. Outside work Iwona enjoys reading, latin dancing, nature photography, going to the theatre and listening to good jazz.

Pam Wilson assists with vital administration tasks around the office, which includes quality assurance of our important documents. Pam is, of course, Peter's 'better' half and is responsible for bringing a 'touch of class' to everything we do.

Like our Practice Manager, Kaylene Kachel, Pam is a fan of the Arts (but not so much the football!).

Mark Staggs is the CEO of Strategic Financial Management Solutions Pty Ltd, which specialises in providing risk advice to working families, executives, professionals, small business owners and Australian expatriates. As a risk specialist, he has an intimate knowledge of the insurance underwriting process, resulting in a better outcome for clients.

Mark has extensive knowledge on insuring Australian expatriates and their spouses. As many expatriates are regularly located in remote or dangerous regions for work, compared to Australia, this is a specialised area with many pitfalls. Mark is well aware of the issues involved and guides clients through the insurance process.

Mark has over 20 years of experience in Business and Sales Management with national corporations and is extremely passionate about ensuring his clients and their families are adequately protected should illness, injury or the unthinkable occur.

Additionally, Mark holds a Diploma of Financial Planning from the Financial Planning Association.

Tim is Mark's right hand man and ensures that Strategic Financial is ably supported while Mark is on the road meeting with clients. Tim has a Bachelor of Commerce majoring in Finance, Financial Planning and Management. He is also currently completing his CFP qualification as part of the MLC Adviser Scholarship program, which he was accepted into in early 2011. Outside of work, Tim follows Melbourne in the AFL and is the club captain of the Macedon Cricket Club.