meet the team
Richard is an experienced yachtsman; his accomplishments include numerous ocean races and international yachting regattas.
On dry land, he’s been working in the financial services industry since 1970 and authorised to provide advice since 1984. His career has expanded through roles with T&G, Phoenix Life, Friends Provident, Australian Eagle & MLC, to Adviser Investment Services and Professional Investment Services as an Authorised Representative and Financial Planner.
Richard is a Certified Financial Planner™ (CFP) and is a member of the Financial Planning Association of Australia. He specialises in Retirement Planning, Superannuation (incorporating Self-Managed Superannuation), Investment Advice, Centrelink Advice, Life Insurance and Aged Care.
Richard is a member of Professional Investment Services’ adviser council and actively contributes to the Solas crew with a focus on implementing policies that will most help our clients.
Martin is a keen recreational fisherman. Martin has over 40 years of experience in the financial sector, including 20 years as a Senior Manager at Island State Credit Union where he managed their Financial Planning department before starting his own financial planning business back in 2002.
Martin was an Authorised Representative with AXA Financial Planning before becoming an Authorised Representative with Professional Investment Services in 2010. He is an AFP® Member of the Financial Planning Association of Australia. He specialises in strategic financial planning covering Superannuation, Investment Wealth Creation, Retirement Planning, Centrelink Advice and Insurance Advice.
Martin loves meeting new clients and helping them make their future financial goals and objectives come true.
Martin is married with two adult children, and has a real passion towards his recreational fishing here in Tasmania. When not working or out enjoying his fishing, he enjoys playing competitive squash to keep fit.
The only place Ben would rather be other than on the water with a cool sea breeze is with his growing family. Yet another seasoned member of the Solas Financial crew, Ben has worked in the financial planning sector for over 20 years and has been authorised to provide advice since December 1998.
Ben holds an Advanced Diploma of Financial Planning, Diploma of Financial Services (Kaplan Professional) and the Foundation Diploma of Financial Planning (Financial Planning Association of Australia). He is a Financial Planner who specialises in comprehensive Superannuation, Investment and Retirement planning strategies for clients with retirement on the horizon or who have already retired. Ben can also assist with insurance protection strategies for clients still engaged in the workforce looking to safeguard against the unknowns that life can sometimes deliver.
Ben is a Financial Planner AFP® Member of the Financial Planning Association of Australia and a Registered Tax (Financial) Adviser with the Tax Practitioners Board.
Married with two boys, when Ben’s not at the helm of his clients’ financial futures he enjoys spending time with family, sailing and has a keen interest in aviation.
The landlubber of the Solas crew, Susan prefers dry land to the call of the open sea. Susan has been an Authorised Representative with Professional Investment Services since 2000 giving her over 18 years experience in the financial services field. Susan specialises in Superannuation and Retirement Planning, Investment Planning and Life Insurance.
Susan is a Financial Planner AFP® Member of the Financial Planning Association of Australia and a Registered Tax (Financial) Adviser with the Tax Practitioners Board.
Susan has a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Tasmania, an Advanced Diploma of Financial Planning with Kaplan Professional and a Diploma of Financial Planning through the FPA with Deakin University.
When she’s not at work, Susan enjoys spending time with her daughter, family and friends and avoiding light-hearted jokes from the rest of the team about her ability to get seasick on wet grass.
Drew has been with Solas Financial since 2002 and is another able seaman of the Solas crew.
He has worked his way up to become an authorised financial adviser, completing the Diploma of Financial Services (Kaplan) and is currently completing the Advanced Diploma of Financial Planning.
Drew has been an Authorised Representative with Professional Investment Services since 2013 and is a Financial Planner AFP® Member of the Financial Planning Association of Australia.
Drew is married and when not working or sailing he enjoys spending time with family and friends, running and cycling.
Kate is an essential part of our team joining our office in December 2014. Kate is our Client Services Administration officer whom performs a range of duties including client review recommendations, valuation reports and keeping up to date with legislated reporting.
Kate supports with managing the office and can assist with all general administration queries. Kate is currently undertaking study in the Diploma of Financial Planning.
Iris is the newest member of our team, commencing with our office in December 2018. Iris is our cheerful receptionist who greets you on arrival to our office and is able to assist you with arranging appointments and general administration queries including valuation reports.
