Super Review and its sister publication Money Management have announced the winners of their Women in Financial Services Awards for 2013, with founder of Frontier Advisors Fiona Trafford-Walker winning the top award.
Trafford-Walker, who was named Woman of the Year, worked in the asset consulting industry for more than two decades and is regarded by many as one of the leading figures in the superannuation industry.
Deemed by her peers an inspirational leader and mentor for many in the financial services industry, Trafford-Walker has long been a strong voice in debating issues around value and fairness in fees charged by fund managers.
She was recently ranked by financial journal aiCIO as one of the world's Top 25 Asset Consultants — a list which included very few women and only one other Australian.
Having been one of the founding members of Frontier Advisors — a specialist asset consulting firm which provides investment advice to superannuation and other investment fund clients — she has seen the business grow from establishment to now providing advice on $150 billion worth of assets.
Her personal values and integrity are the two characteristics her peers respect the most.
"Over almost two decades she has provided Frontier clients with invaluable insights and advice and as a result made a direct positive impact on the retirement savings of literally millions of Australians as members of these superannuation funds," said Frontier Advisors chairman and her long-time colleague, Geoff Ashton.
"Through her commitment, ethics and passion she stands tall within her chosen profession."
Trafford-Walker was shortlisted for the Woman of the Year category along with 10 other exceptional women working across different sectors of the financial services industry.
Executive general manager of Colonial First State, Linda Elkins, was named Superannuation Executive of the Year for the way she led the business through a period of unprecedented regulatory change.
Other category winners include Olivia Maragna, named Female Financial Planner of the Year; Karyn Hilton, who won the Life Insurance Executive of the Year category; and Cherie Feher who received the Rising Star award.
Last year's Money Management Financial Planner of the Year Michelle-Tate Lovery was crowned Mentor of the Year, while the Pro-Bono Award ended up in the hands of Claire Mackay from Quantum Financial.
BT Financial Group was lauded for its women-friendly initiatives in the workplace, receiving the Employer of the Year award.
Carolan Ibbotson from Endownment Bond Exchange was named Female BDM of the Year, and Aranka Nolan from Einstein Marketing Group won in the Marketing & Communications category.
The Money Management/Super Review Women in Financial Services Awards, which recognise and reward exceptional female members of the financial services industry, comprised 11 categories including Mentor of the Year, Pro-Bono Award, Rising Star, Life Insurance and Superannuation Executive of the Year, among others.
The winners were announced last night at the Ivy Ballroom in Sydney.
