You now have
access to some
very talented writers
You can see the high calibre and expertise of Financial Writers Australia here.
We have 15 writers on our team - all highly qualified in financial planning. You can read the bios on a few of them below.
Click on each name to read their backgrounds and speciality areas.
Jeremy Rankin - Financial Writer
Tennille Catchpole - Financial Writer
Jane Crombie - Financial Writer
Sally Luxton - Investment Writer
Rob Smith - Financial Writer
Charles Beelaerts - Investment Analyst & Writer
John Buttling - Marketing & Media Writer
Jeremy Rankin, Financial Writer
“I’d like to pray for world peace, and for the effective use of visual aids in financial education”.
My draft acceptance speech for a certain beauty pageant is – I admit – unlikely ever to see the light of day (in that forum). But it nonetheless reveals the value that I place on the appropriate use of all available communication tools in written and oral education pieces.
Over the past 17 years I have worked and studied in various roles within the finance industry, each of which has called on my writing ability in a different context.
- At Colonial First State (and previously at ING Australia), I regularly authored technical articles and presentations to educate Financial Advisers on topical financial planning issues. I was also occasionally called upon to write client newsletter articles, interview scripts, and Statements of Advice for Advisers to present to their clients;
- At the Australian Taxation Office, my work included the preparation of briefs to our Legal Counsel to assist in Federal Court tax appeals, as well as the construction of a staff education program following the “Ralph Review” business tax reforms in 1999;
- At University whilst studying Law and Commerce, I have written papers for submission on topics ranging from estate planning to marketing to environmental law, and I prepared a thesis on death benefit decisions of the Superannuation Complaints Tribunal.
During that time I have witnessed some of (in my opinion) the better exponents of effective communication as well as some of the worst perpetrators, and I have learnt a great deal from both sides.
We live in a time where “mums and dads” are becoming increasingly thirsty for information about financial matters. I am inspired by the knowledge that an article or presentation that I have written can sometimes provide them with that new insight, that one trigger which – to put it simply – makes it all make sense!
I particularly enjoy the dynamics of superannuation and retirement planning – this was the main reason that I moved away from the “pure” tax environment of the ATO into the Financial Planning arena some years ago. The oft-changing rules and regulations mean that new opportunities and new dangers arise regularly, and it is extremely rewarding to be in a position to analyse and translate complex regulations to a client whose financial future depends on getting the right information and advice.
If you would like Jeremy on your team, contact us here...
Tennille Catchpole, Financial Writer
My passion for writing began at university when it always seemed to be me volunteering to be the person to compile the group assignment and create a masterpiece that was easy to read and made sense, but also got us all great marks!
I also have a thirst for education that I find hard to quench and this has helped gain me an Honours degree in Environmental Management, a Masters Degree in Financial Planning, and in my current pursuit of attaining Certified Financial Planner status.
Over the past 12 years I have worked in a variety of fields including hospitality, retail, local government, and a private financial planning practice. I have been working in the financial services industry since 2002 and have fulfilled a range of roles including Personal Assistant, Paraplanner, Mortgage Broker, and Financial Adviser.
As a Financial Adviser, I always found that my most important role was to educate my clients about financial management, assisting them to understand and appreciate the ways in which financial markets operate.
To make it easier to convey this information, I created and penned a monthly newsletter for my previous employer. As a result, anxiety among clients during periods of volatility was practically non-existent.
I now find myself working as a Financial Writer for FWA and I’m excited. My role provides me with an opportunity to indulge my passion for writing and financial education, knowing that my work will assist other organisations to achieve their desired outcomes also.
My love of writing is paralleled by my passion for reading, and I enjoy nothing more than spending a lazy day curled up with man’s best friend - a good book.
If you would like Tennille on your team, contact us here...
Jane Crombie, Financial Writer
My interest in financial matters began as a teenager when my father gave me a parcel of shares for Christmas. Most 15-year-olds would probably find this a little disappointing, but it sparked a lifelong passion. It was thrilling, as an impoverished uni student, to see the dividends appear like magic in my account twice a year. At the earliest opportunity I began to add to my fledgling portfolio, and have remained an investment addict ever since.
After completing a sports science degree, I spent a number of years in the health and wellbeing industry, then travelled and worked extensively overseas before marrying a handsome grazier and running an outback rural partnership. This was followed by research and writing work in the academic and demographic arenas while raising young children.
My enduring fascination for matters financial led me to complete post-graduate studies in Financial Planning in 2003. For the last six years I have worked as a Paraplanner and Research Analyst within the Financial Planning practice of a large Brisbane accounting firm. This role involves researching and writing material for advice documents, technical fact sheets, and client newsletters, as well as keeping the practice up to date with economic conditions, investment products and services, and relevant legislative changes. The Australian stock market has remained an area of special interest, and I watch market and company news daily.
It is a privilege to share my passion for writing and investing through FWA. Clients who have access to accurate and well-presented information from their advisers, and who maintain a long-term view, are best placed to navigate the turmoil of market cycles. I maintain an interest in the virtues of a healthy balanced lifestyle, and believe a well considered long-term financial strategy to be a great stress reducer- even better than yoga!
If you would like Jane on your team, contact us here...
Sally Luxton, Investment Writer
Customer service has always been the focus of my 15 years experience in the financial services sector.
I worked for five years in retail banking and ten years in the financial markets, broking global institutional and retail clients in derivatives products.
The complexity and risk profile of derivatives products coupled with a stringent regulatory environment requires proactive, accurate and concise verbal and written communication with all types of clients.
My passion for writing began when I was responsible for compiling a client kit for retail clients, explaining the workings of trading futures and options products. Clients came from diversified backgrounds and education levels so the art of reaching everyone is to use the old KISS cliché – Keep It Simple Stupid. Using plain words and simple sentences without market jargon is the only way to ascertain what an inexperienced client really wants to do and explain to them what they can do. Misused jargon is a recipe for potential significant losses in derivatives markets.
I have also contributed course material to a Diploma in Financial Services (Financial Planning) for a Registered Training Organisation (RTO). The main subjects and topics I cover include derivatives, securities, portfolio management, investment products, risk management, economic fundamentals and general financial services overview chapters. However, being tertiary qualified with a Bachelor of Commerce and Post Graduate Diploma in Applied Finance and Investment, I like to research just about anything and enjoy reorganising information into a simple, logical sequence for easy understanding.
Together with my husband, I have enjoyed the fast pace of the futures markets working in large dealing rooms in Australian Banks. My husband was also a trader on the Sydney Futures Exchange trading floor prior to the market becoming computerized. However, in recent years with the arrival of our two children we now both work from home and enjoy a lot of family time.
If you would like Sally on your team, contact us here...
Rob Smith, Financial Writer I feel blessed to have been a part of the financial services profession for over 35 years.
In 1974, I was completing my accounting studies for my then work as an investment officer for a superannuation fund when the firm sold the management of the fund’s assets to a life company. That opened up a new world for me of offering life insurance and superannuation to the general public.
That was quite exciting but I felt constrained in selling just that one company’s products. So began my quest to find a way to provide the best products for the benefit of my clients. That led to further study to obtain a Certificate form the Investment Training College of Australia.
I continued my studies and obtained the Diploma of Financial Planning and then my CFP. I progressed to holding my own licence and running a team of advisers.
Over the years, I have been involved in establishing a Trustee Service for a national listed icon, working on committees for Approved Product Lists, Adviser Groups and AFSL Advisory Boards, writing articles for newspapers, speaking engagements at seminars, presentations and on radio. I became Chair of Education in my State with our professional body (IAFP) and helped bring about the merger that eventually formed the FPA. I worked with Integratec, Tribeca and Kaplan in delivering education programs to the industry.
I enjoy helping others to achieve their goals and dreams. The opportunity to write for Financial Writers Australia and our valued clients is one that I cherish – whether it is an article, some marketing material or whatever the brief.
I have two mottos in life –
“Integrity is like virginity because you only get to lose it once” is courtesy of my late Dad and “Everything is possible – miracles just take a bit longer” demonstrates that the word “can’t” is not in my vocabulary.
I look forward to working with you and providing you with the solution to your needs.
If you would like Rob on your team, contact us here...
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Charles Beelaerts, Investment Analyst & Writer
In my final year of high school I wanted to be a journalist and attended university to study economics with that in mind. However, I later discovered my passion for accounting and graduated with first class honours and the university medal. My first full-time job was as a financial analyst with a merchant bank after which I went to Harvard Business School and graduated with an MBA.
My extensive business career includes roles as an auditor for Ernst & Young, an investment adviser to IBM, a consultant to Rothschild Australia, a lecturer at the University of NSW, a consultant with Hungerford Hancock and Offner, a senior analyst, manager and senior manager with the Commonwealth Bank, a management consultant with McKinsey & Co, and an independent management consultant. These roles enabled me to do an enormous amount of writing which I enjoy more than anything else.
Since 1987 I have written more than 500 feature length articles and other publications on accounting, finance, investment, tax, business, obstetrics and practice management. I have also been the part-time financial editor for the Centre for Investor Education which required the editing and writing of financial publications for superannuation fund trustees.
I am the co-author of six books on investment namely: Understanding Unit Trusts 2nd edition, Understanding Investments 4th edition, International Investing, You Only Make a Profit When You Sell, Successful Share Buying and Hedge Funds: Cutting through the Hype.
My hobbies include cricket, films, music, walking, writing, wines and following the Sydney Roosters in the NRL.
With my highly analytical background, I bring a different type of writing to the FWA stable, more focused on the wholesale investment market working with fund managers and large dealer groups.
If you would like Charles on your team, contact us here...
John Buttling, Marketing & Media Writer
In my book, WINNING Hearts & Minds With WORDS, the ‘About the Author’ page humbly says, in part: I am a multi-award winning (25 awards in 10 different communication arenas) career copywriter, editor, corporate & marketing communications consultant and a published journalist for the Sydney Morning Herald, national publications like the Financial Adviser and international magazines like Thinking Business.
This is not time for being modest. Credibility in your eyes is on the line so I’d better brag to show that I’ve ‘walked the talk’ and ‘written to smitten.’
The cold, clinical boring facts are that my experience and expertise include writing and editing corporate profiles, capability statements, media releases, PR, major tenders/proposals, marketing strategies, websites, client and customer standard letters/surveys, customer/adviser newsletters and magazines, brochures, flyers, advertising copywriting for print, radio and TV, direct mail and videos, technical writing, sales/adviser support, incentives, competitions, conference scripts/theming, seminar scripting, speech writing and event promotion. Most of this has been in the financial services industry, working with 20 industry organisations of all sizes and ambitions.
The warm, fuzzy facts are that my clients tell me they love my creativity, professionalism, attention to detail, results-focus and sense of humour.
My "WINNING Hearts & Minds With WORDS" book is a valuable resource for the financial services industry’s head offices and adviser networks because it draws on 30 years of experience in our industry to offer practical tips for win-win external communications. A case study reveals how forward-thinking industry players can grab the opportunity, with help from FWA, to gain an edge in client communication. The team here is the best in the business.
Thank you for reading about me. However, all of us at FWA are much more interested in you, your organisation and your communication needs.
If you would like John on your team, contact us here...
Our Writing Team relies on our professional Editing Team to add that important "spit and polish" to their work before our clients receive the first draft. Meet our Editors here.
Or if you would like our team of specialist writers to help make your business more profitable, contact us here... we'd love to hear from you.