Our Award-winning
Independent Financial Services Team

WHOLE TEAM

  • Rob Pyne

    CEO and CFP®

  • Michael Pyne

    CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER®

  • Paul Burton

    CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER®

  • Paul Black

    CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER®

  • Greg Polglase

    CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER®

  • Nick Bordi

    COO and CFP®

  • Zacary Leeson

    CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER®

  • Jeff Petrie

    Financial Planner AFP®

  • Thomas Sweeny

    CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER®

  • Liam Wallace

    Financial Planner

  • Emma Cork

    CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER®

  • Matt Hern

    CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER®

  • Norm Jupp

    CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER®

  • Sean Bennett

    Financial Planner

  • Stephen Anagno

    Financial Planner

  • Lisa Farnell

    CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER®

  • Jodie Wickham

    CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER®

  • Nathan Morgan

    Financial Planner

  • Nicola Hynes

    Associate

  • Dan Murdoch

    Associate

  • Max Pree

    Associate

  • Cale Jones

    Associate

  • Linda Sara

    Client Services Manager

  • Dennis Voo

    Client Onboarding Specialist

  • Melissa Dixon

    Client Services Associate

  • Liz Coles

    Client Services Associate

  • Helen Jupp

    Client Services Associate

  • Lyarna Ball

    Client Services Associate

  • Kylie Lindquist

    Client Services Associate

  • Janette McMahon

    Client Services Associate

  • Josh Cripps

    Client Services Associate

  • Kimberley Smith

    Client Services Associate

  • Kyh Dickson

    Client Services Associate

  • Craig O’Brien

    Client Services Associate

  • Emma Mason

    Client Services Associate

  • Lulu Morgan

    Reception & Office Administrator

  • Teegan Amor

    Paraplanner

  • Dylan Renoux

    Paraplanner

  • James Douglass

    Paraplanner

  • Tom Haliday

    Operations Manager

  • Elaine Forrester

    Compliance & Operations Officer

  • Emma Pyne

    Operations Support

Robert Pyne

Rob Pyne

CEO and CFP®

I remember being referred to as “the shy one” growing up. Perhaps I was. Being the third of four boys, some might say it was a classic case of middle-child syndrome. In any case, it made growing up on a farm pretty much perfect – lots of space and a real sense of freedom. I loved it. I reckon Mum appreciated the space too, having four boys. I finished school in the country then moved to the city and completed a degree in science but began to develop a strong interest in finance. My first full-time job was in a Perth-based business that was pioneering a new administration service to support financial planners and their clients. It inspired me to complete post-graduate studies in financial planning. I wanted to learn more about how I could improve my own financial life and ultimately the lives of others. I learned that financial planning is about helping people meet their life goals through the proper management of their money. Now, after more than 20 years of financial planning, I have since learned that some life goals are common to all of us and that money is just a tool to help achieve them. Reflecting back on my childhood – the sense of freedom and space that I felt – I now know that money is just a means to that end. It is a passion and a privilege to help others in their journey.

Rob is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® professional (CFP®) and has a Bachelor of Science and a Graduate Diploma in Financial Planning. Rob was awarded the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® Professional Best Practice Award for WA in 2012 and has been recognised as a member of the “Masterclass for Financial Planning” in 2007, 2008 and 2009 as voted by The Australian Financial Review Smart Investor. Rob is a member of the Financial Planning Association (FPA). Rob is a Director and Representative of TFG Australia Pty Ltd, AFS Licence No. 337755.
Michael Pyne - Certified Financial Planner

Michael Pyne

CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER®

Growing up on a farm as the youngest of four boys, we spent a lot of time together as a family as we were a half-hour drive from the closest town and our school. This time spent together as a family helped shaped my view on how important family is and to this day, my definition of success relates to my relationships with family.

Growing up in a household with three older brothers led to the inevitable arguments that all siblings have. The resilience that this taught me was certainly needed in 2008 when I had recently joined HPH as a business partner and the GFC (Global Financial Crisis) hit. I had a wife and young daughter at home as well as business commitments to our clients and staff to get through this challenging time. It was at this stage that my resilience was tested but my faith in family paid off.

At the height of the global financial crisis, we had a business partner who wanted to follow his own path and go it alone. This was a time of great uncertainty for the business but over a period of six months, we negotiated his exit. During this time, we undertook a lot of soul searching but my brother and I committed to each other to work to get through the tough times in the hope that good times will follow. In the years that have followed, HPH has grown from 4 to 14 people and we continue to serve and support our wonderful clients, helping them on their life journey.

Michael is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® professional (CFP®) and has a Bachelor of Commerce and a Graduate Diploma in Financial Planning. Michael is a member of the Financial Planning Association (FPA)

Michael is a Director and Representative of TFG Australia Pty Ltd, AFS Licence No. 337755.

Paul Burton - Certified Financial Planner

Paul Burton

CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER®

I grew up on a farm, left home at an early age to go to boarding school, moved to the city after leaving school, then moved to Sydney for 12 months. I learned some important lessons during these early years that have shaped my personal and professional life ever since. These are:

  • Treat others as you would like to be treated
  • Sacrifices are a part of life
  • The harder you work the luckier you become
  • Life is always changing
  • Life isn’t always fair
  • Control what you can control

I commenced my working career in banking. It was while in a personal lending role with the bank that I got to see the results of some people receiving poor advice and/or making simple mistakes with their finances. This led me to complete studies in financial planning and move to the financial planning division of the bank. While this was great for my initial training and experience, as time went on I decided that I wanted to do more than the bank could offer.

After a lengthy discussion with my family and mentors, I realised that I wanted to work with people on an ongoing basis who wanted guidance to help them avoid wealth-destroying mistakes, which then allows them to focus on what is important to them and live a full and enjoyable life.

Once I had settled this in my mind, I needed to start or join a business more aligned with my values and philosophy. After meaningful discussions with the partners at HPH, I joined the team. It really was an easy decision to make.

Paul is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® professional (CFP®) and has a Diploma in Financial Planning from FINSIA. Paul is a member of both the Financial Planning Association (FPA) and Self Managed Super Fund Association.

Paul is a Director and Representative of TFG Australia Pty Ltd, AFS License No. 337755.

Paul Black

CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER®

I had an interest in money from an early age. My mum was not wealthy, so I had to make the money myself if I wanted a Commodore 64 like my friends. My first real job was at Hungry Jacks when I was 14. I could not reach the microwave for the first interview so I bought some bigger shoes and got the job the second time around. My sister said I was so enamoured by my first pay packet I kissed and sniffed my money for a week. On the rare occasion I have banknotes these days I still give them a sniff but the plastic notes aren’t quite as satisfying.

Maybe it was this love of money that led me to accounting. My dad was an accountant but also worked for a bookmaker so I was around money a lot. After practising as an accountant for my first decade in the workforce and becoming a CPA, I learned accounting was only one piece of the puzzle when it came to helping people. Having specialised in Self Managed Super Funds, I found it fascinating that some clients succeeded in investing whilst others frequently lost large sums of money. However, the advice we gave was limited to compliance and tax after they had already lost the money, which did not help them much. After seeing that many of them never sought financial advice, or if they did, the advice they received was poor, I decided to study to become a financial adviser. I tried to wear both the accountant and advisor hats for a while but found you could only really wear one. Twenty years on, this is even more true.

The knowledge of these two disciplines has given me a good ability to combine the taxation and strategic aspects of a plan with the investments required to meet objectives. Growing up with a super-cautious mum and risk-taking dad has helped me manage client behaviour so you end up somewhere in the middle of these two emotions. Whilst preserving money is very important you must also take some risks to ensure you can live a more fulfilling life.

Paul is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® professional (CFP®), has a Bachelor of Accounting and Finance and is a CERTIFIED PRACTICING ACCOUNTANT (CPA).

Paul is a representative of TFG Australia Pty Ltd, AFS Licence No. 337755.

Greg Polglase

CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER®

As the middle child of a five-child family, with parents who both worked full-time as teachers, I learned to be independent from a very young age. I remember working for Crystal Cool Drinks when I was 12, doing door-to-door sales to earn the pocket money I needed to buy the latest Status Quo and Suzi Quatro records. (OK, I admit it, I also joined the ABBA fan club.)

Like most boys growing up in metro Perth, I spent my youth playing Australian rules football in the winter and cricket in the summer. I wasn’t great at school and the only subjects I really enjoyed were Phys Ed and Maths. (For some reason, I found Maths easy). By the time I reached Year 12, I was still very naive and had no clue about want I wanted to do. Lucky for me, my Dad got me a job with the Bank. I was saved!

There’s a saying: “You’re the same today as you’ll be in five years except for two things: the people you meet and the books you read”.

Lucky for me, I spent 17 years with NAB and met some truly wonderful people (including my wife). I had some great mentors early in my career to help me grow and mature into a professional person. I was able to work with clients of all different backgrounds and this provided me with valuable skills

In the prime of my banking career, I came across a book that I can recommend to anyone: Awaken the Giant Within by Tony Robbins. I guess it inspired an epiphany of sorts as it made me realise I wanted more – I wanted to make a difference. I left NAB to take up a new job inside an Accounting practice learning Financial Planning. I loved the financial planning role as it was an opportunity to use all my knowledge to help clients achieve their goals.

In 2003, Geoff Whitehorn and I formed Whitehorn Polglase Financial Advisers. We operated successfully for 15 years before Geoff sadly passed away after a battle with cancer. I continued with the business all the while knowing I needed to ensure our clients were supported well into the future. This saw us merge with HPH Solutions in February 2022.

The HPH team are very professional and have a ‘client-first’ approach – something that was a key for me to ensure that myself and my clients were part of a successful team.

My wife Janice and I have two wonderful boys who are making their own way in life. When I’m not looking after my clients, I’m a passionate Fremantle Dockers supporter. I also play a bit of golf, keep fit and love strumming the guitar. I keep practising so that I can be a rock star when I grow up!

Greg is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® professional (CFP®) and has a Graduate Diploma in Financial Planning.

Greg is a representative of TFG Australia Pty Ltd, AFS Licence No. 337755.

Nick Bordi

Nick Bordi

COO and CFP®

I grew up before it was cool to be a nerd. And in every way, I was a nerd. I’ve always been a strategic thinker with a tendency to over analyse anything that could be measured. Looking back, financial planning was such an obvious fit for me. I’m glad I stumbled into it.

Finishing up at Curtin Uni with a Bachelor of Commerce, I had no idea what to do next. I felt I didn’t have enough information to decide what I wanted to spend my life doing, so I avoided the decision entirely. I applied for every job with the word “finance” in the title. Years later, here I am, loving the fact my days are spent having interesting conversations and helping people see progress towards what’s important to them.

My hobbies include tinkering with my 1990 MX-5 and regularly putting it to the test around Barbagallo Raceway. I’ve learned that the slowest, least exciting looking lap is often the quickest. Similarly, a financial plan can be effective and based on complex principles, without being confusing or complicated. Figuring out where you’re going, starting with a map and staying on track is the best way to reach the finish line. Helping people at each stage of this process is one of the most rewarding parts of being a financial planner.

Nick is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® professional (CFP®). He has a Bachelor of Commerce (Economics and Finance), Diploma of Financial Planning and is an SMSF Specialist (SSA).

Nick is an employee Representative of TFG Australia Pty Ltd, AFS Licence No. 337755.

Zacary Leeson - Certified Financial Planner

Zacary Leeson

CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER®

It is fair to say that most people growing up don’t long to be a financial planner. Growing up in the small town of Waroona, I hadn’t even heard of the profession. My days were more concerned with friends, holidays and if I was ever going to be a famous AFL footballer. I wasn’t by the way.

It was not until I reached the end of high school that I was confronted with the more serious questions from my folks: What are you going to do with your life? Do you have a plan? My parents had worked hard to raise me, and I had never gone without, but I had no answers for them. What I did know was that I liked sport and numbers, so why not complete a degree in Sports Science and Commerce to get the best of both worlds? What I did not account for was stumbling into a whole new one.

I could never have imagined meeting so many people from different cultures, who held different values and led different lifestyles. It was hard to comprehend how some people were spending their summers travelling Europe while others worked around the clock to make ends meet. During this time I developed such an appreciation for the value of money but also an understanding that everyone had their own path to follow. For me, I wanted security and the ability to provide for my future family and of course to retire at the age of 30.

I think this ultimate realisation is what drew me to financial planning, well that and a gentle nudge from my close friend and former colleague Rachel Blake. I consider myself very lucky and very privileged to work alongside like-minded passionate people who thrive on guiding people through their financial life. As for retiring at age 30… that may have been somewhat overzealous.

Zac is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® professional (CFP®) and a member of the Financial Planning Association (FPA). Zac has a double Bachelor’s degree in Commerce and Science and a Diploma of Financial Planning.

Zac is an employee Representative of TFG Australia Pty Ltd, AFS Licence No. 337755.

Jeff Petrie - Certified Financial Planner

Jeff Petrie

Financial Planner AFP®

I have always been interested in money.

As a kid I used to think of ways to set up new businesses to earn a few dollars to save for the future.

I had a variety of investments as a teen that helped me understand the concepts of investing and to learn of its importance, the good and the bad.

So it was a natural transition for me to move through banking into financial planning to help others understand these concepts as well.

What I came to realise quickly was that financial planning isn’t just about money. I got to see very well-off people that had more money than they could spend in two lifetimes still working or holding off doing what they wanted to do due to a fear of “not having enough”. I also have seen many instances of people spending more than they earn on “stuff” which keeps them from spending time with their families or what they would prefer to be doing.

We all live busy lives. I see our job as helping people work out what is their ideal life and building the financial resources to enable this to be achieved or maintained.

Like most things that matter, this isn’t easy and there are lots of ways to journey to this point, but we can partner with you in this journey using our skills, helping you plan, track and adjust these plans, taking into consideration what “life” throws at us along the way to help you achieve your ideal.

Jeff holds an Advanced Diploma of Financial Services (Financial Planning) and a Masters in Financial Planning. Jeff is also a member of the Financial Planning Association (FPA).

Jeff is an employee Representative of TFG Australia Pty Ltd, AFS Licence No. 337755.

Thomas Sweeny - Certified Financial Planner

Thomas Sweeny

CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER®

Growing up I was always a ‘why’ person. I learnt quite early on that it was important to not just accept information at face value and always try to question and understand things.

Those around me always did the best they could to provide the appropriate answers to questions I raised, however, money questions were never answered with a straight face, I remember responses along the lines of “money doesn’t grow on trees” or “you’ll understand better one day.” I did my best to understand the complexities of money. All that I do remember is constantly seeing money as the cause of so many problems.

I remember the common question asked at family gatherings when I was quite young being “what’s your favourite school subject” to which I would usually reply “maths”- it just made sense to me. As the years went on I began to enjoy working with numbers less and less and joked that when the alphabet was brought into the classroom my enjoyment of maths disappeared. Maths had lost its meaning and I couldn’t see the value in trying to calculate a derivative for the sake of answering question 39c) of the third of ten chapters – I needed more meaning than “practice makes perfect”.

In high school, I fell in love with economics – this was the first time someone or something could explain financial markets to me, it was so intriguing, all the complexities and finally a way of using mathematics but with a purpose. Again, in my studies there was evidence of people making financial mistakes, whether it be fundamentals such as spending more than they earn and getting themselves into credit card debt or working a part-time job and noticing all these people not interested in their superannuation from such a young age. Economics became my focus – it just made sense, there was someone for once talking about financial issues in a logical way that inspired me to follow the commerce pathway into university.

I was fortunate enough to be given the opportunity to spend my university years in an administration role in a small financial planning firm, grasping the basics and learning both at work and at university. I also worked in both hospitality and retail roles during this time – making the most of semester breaks earning extra money where I could and enjoying connecting with customers on a more personal level.

Skip a few years and now I am fortunate enough to work with HPH Solutions where we help our clients along their journey to a better financial life. It’s hard to explain why I enjoy what I do however I guess working with numbers with a purpose does make it more enjoyable than just to get to the end of a mathematics exercise book.

Thomas has a Bachelor of Commerce (Finance and Economics) degree and Diploma of Financial Planning. Thomas is also a member of the Financial Planning Association (FPA).

Thomas is an employee Representative of TFG Australia Pty Ltd, AFS Licence No. 337755.

Liam Wallace

Financial Planner

When I was in primary school, I wanted to be a lawyer. Not because of the occupation itself but the recognition that is was a profession that paid a big income. I always aspired to have a career that gave me the financial freedom to live comfortably; a nice home, a flash car, the choice to jump on a plane and go wherever.

As I grew older, I became less concerned about the material things and instead wanted a deeper understanding of the how and why of wealth accumulation. I started studying Accounting at university, but it quickly became clear that accounting wasn’t for me because it was backward-looking, one year at a time. And it wasn’t very dynamic.

Financial planning, on the other hand, excited me. It was a new offering at university and offered me a chance to educate myself (and eventually others) about constructing and implementing a long-term wealth accumulation plan. All while learning about other important aspects of financial planning such as protecting that wealth and ensuring it passes on to the right people when we go.

After an initial meeting with my parents’ financial planner, Dean Farmer, I was fortunate enough to start working with him on a casual basis whilst studying at university. I have now been with the same practice for over 14 years and have seen the financial planning landscape change dramatically in that time.

For me, the best part about this career are the people and relationships forged along the way. The privilege and personal satisfaction I get from partnering with people to help bring their plan to life while riding alongside them for the journey – that means more than any of the material things I aspired to as a child.

Liam has a Bachelor of Commerce (Financial Planning) from Curtin University of Technology (Perth).

Liam is a representative of TFG Australia Pty Ltd, AFS Licence No. 337755.

Emma Cork

CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER®

I grew up in a small wheatbelt town called Shackleton. We had a small farm because my Dad had polio as a child and could not physically manage a large property.

As a child, I was very aware of the seasonality of our family’s income. And the need to save money in the years of good harvest to keep us going in those years that weren’t as good.

I attended Boarding School in Perth and my first job was working for Bird Cameron Accountants. I then went on to work for a financial planning business at the age of 21 and this triggered the start of my financial planning education journey.

It was the start of a financial planning journey for my parents too as they were selling the family farm at the time. I ended up leaving that firm to work in Sydney, but my parents engaged their services. And I’m so glad they did because they were able to be there for my family in our darkest hour when we lost Dad to cancer.

The work they did added significant value to my family’s financial position at the time, and it really reinforced the importance of seeking and receiving strong financial advice.

It also confirmed to me that I’d chosen a career path that could really help people and make a big difference to their lives. It is such a huge vote of trust for someone to ask you to help them manage their money. Over the course of my 20-year career, I’ve had the privilege of helping many clients through life’s challenges.

Financial planning is a rewarding profession in so many ways and I am very grateful to be on the journey to helping so many people improve their financial wellbeing.

Emma is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® professional (CFP®), a member of the Financial Planning Association (FPA) and has a Diploma of Financial Planning from Deakin University (Melbourne).

Emma is an employee Representative of TFG Australia Pty Ltd, AFS Licence No. 337755.

Matt Hern

CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER®

My first career in the 1990s was as a graduate Engineer in the Oil and Gas industry. What struck me from my time working offshore was that many people told me “I want to quit working away, but feel I can’t afford to.”

Honestly, that scared me! It prompted me to start learning about money, which eventually led to my career change into financial planning.

In applying what I was learning to my own life I quickly realised, it’s not about the money. What mattered more were the life experiences the money helped facilitate. I also realised that it didn’t really matter how much I knew about money, the actions I actually took were what made a difference.

Those realisations reignited the interest in human behaviour and the meaning of life that I’d had since being a typical angsty teenager. I studied life coaching and spent a lot of time reading research and books about how we can live a flourishing life. Philosophical life discussions over coffee is one of my favourite pastimes.

As a financial planner, I love blending social science with personal finance to help you afford a life you love and lights you up!

Matt is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® professional (CFP®) and has a Bachelor of Engineering, a Graduate Diploma in Financial Planning and a Certificate of Life Coaching.

Matt has been recognised as a member of the “Masterclass for Financial Planning” in 2004, 2007 and 2008 as voted by The Australian Financial Review Smart Investor. Matt is a member of the Financial Planning Association of Australia (FPA).

Norm Jupp

CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER®

Sean Bennett

Financial Planner

Growing up I was always drawn to numbers rather than letters. I didn’t know it at the time but my preference for numbers was mostly due to my undiagnosed dislexia, deslexya …dyslexia.

My interest in business and financial planning started very early. As a child of parents with two small businesses, I saw the daily effort that was required to achieve their dream of being successful business owners. This sowed the seeds of what would become my true passion; helping people and business owners achieve their financial goals.

I graduated from Guildford Grammar unsure of what to study at University, which led to me joining the WA Police Force.

After two years, I decided that the emergency services career was one that I couldn’t see myself doing long-term.

I was then accepted into Curtin University and completed a Bachelor of Commerce, majoring in Accounting. While studying I had the fantastic opportunity to work part-time at the accounting firm, Byfields Business Adviser. Upon graduating, I was offered a full-time position. During my time at the firm, I prepared and advised individuals and small business owners on taxation and compliance matters. It was while I was at Byfields that I was exposed to financial planning and was instantly drawn to it.

This led to a meeting with Paul Black and Dean Farmer at 1Life Financial Planning to discuss a career path in financial planning. Shortly after the meeting, Paul offered me a job.

I have really enjoyed working with the HPH Solutions team following the merger with 1Life Financial Planning. The team is deeply committed to their clients and possesses decades of experience and knowledge in financial planning. I look forward to what the future holds and can’t wait to join the numerous other advisers at HPH Solutions following the completion of my Graduate Diploma in Financial Planning and Professional Year in 2023

Sean holds a Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting) from Curtin University of Technology and is currently completing his Graduate Diploma in Financial Planning at Swinburne University.

Stephen Anagno

Financial Planner

Growing up, I was always interested in gaming, sports, and numbers. After playing several sports during high school, it was time to hang up the boots and concentrate on the next stage of life, earning a degree at university.

My interest in finance and numbers led me to study a Bachelor of Business. Following my graduation, I decided to take some time off from books and exams. Being an excellent saver, I had enough in the bank to go on a big holiday at this young age – I went travelling in parts of Asia and Europe and visited some of my extended family. Then the inevitable question arose: What would I do on my return to Perth? I continued with my casual work as a duty manager, and in my spare time played games and took part in as many social sports as I could fit into the week.

It was around this time that my parents suggested I help them out at their office. My dad was a Financial Planner, and this was to be the beginning of my deeper understanding and love for what financial planning is all about. It isn’t just about numbers and money. It’s about changing people’s lives for the better, helping them achieve their most important goals through well thought out strategies, plans and ongoing guidance.

I realised that financial planning was an excellent fit for my overall interests, with the added bonus of helping people to navigate through their busy lives to achieve what they care about the most.

I spent just over 10 very happy years working with 1 Life Financial Planning, which has now merged with HPH Solutions. I feel very fortunate to have joined the HPH team. They are dedicated and professional people who understand there isn’t just one aspect to financial planning, but a whole range of areas built on a long-term relationship and friendship with clients.

Stephen holds a Bachelor of Business and an Advanced Diploma in Financial Planning.

Stephen is a representative of TFG Australia Pty Ltd, AFS Licence No. 337755.

Lisa Farnell

CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER®

Jodie Wickham

Jodie Wickham

CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER®

Growing up I had little purple piggy bank. Every dollar and cent I earned by doing extra chores or was lucky enough to find at the park or on the walkway went into that little piggy bank. It got to the point that I could tell you exactly what was in it, not by monetary value but by the dates the coins were made, how shiny they were, how many had ‘special’ markings and most importantly – how they had come to be in my piggy bank. I was very proud of my collection but when it came to spend some of it I often had trouble.

There was one instance where I really wanted to buy a ‘Nintendo Gameboy’ toy. This electronic beeping game would have no doubt driven my parents to distraction, but they allowed me to buy it on the condition I paid for it myself. So, I turned up to the store with my piggy bank ready to pick out my new game, but there was where I hit a roadblock. Since I knew all my coins, I knew the time and effort that went into earning every one of them. I didn’t value a dollar over a 10c piece if it took me longer to earn the 10c piece than it did the dollar. They were achievements to me, records of my work.

It was my sister who eventually convinced me that handing over the coins wouldn’t lessen my achievements. That the hard work I put into collecting them wouldn’t disappear and that there would remain a record in that little beeping toy.

Since then I haven’t changed my opinion about hard work, I still believe that anything can be achieved if we work for it, and yes, I still have a piggy bank although mostly for parking meters. But I also know that some things don’t always go to plan, and that our next step isn’t always so clear and simple in the foggy mess that is our financial world. This is what drew me to financial planning. The idea that if I can help someone see through the fog and avoid financial potholes along the road, then I can help someone protect what they have worked so hard to achieve.

Jodie is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® professional (CFP®), holds a Bachelor of Commerce (Financial Planning) from Curtin University and is a member of the Financial Planning Association (FPA).

Jodie is an employee Representative of TFG Australia Pty Ltd, AFS Licence No. 337755.

Nathan Morgan

Financial Planner

Nicola Hynes

Associate

Dan Murdoch

Associate

Max Pree

Associate

Cale Jones

Associate

Linda Sara

Client Services Manager

Being a ‘save for a rainy day’ type of personality, I’ve always made sure that my incomings were more than my outgoings! Having a plan for retirement, a solid savings strategy and making sure there’s enough left over for the fun things in life have always been of interest to me.

If I have one money regret, it’s that this quote of Einstein’s came to me later than I’d have liked: “Compound interest is the eighth wonder of the world. He who understands it, earns it … he who doesn’t … pays it.” Better late than never though. And as a result, I’ve taken a huge interest in my superannuation of late.

My path to working in the financial services industry has been quite indirect. I worked as a scheduler at GWN television, before going on to various administration, learning and development and IT roles at TAFE. 

I’m looking forward to expanding my skills, knowledge, and network in financial planning and helping our clients meet their financial goals.

Dennis Voo

Client Onboarding Specialist

From a young age, it was ingrained into me by my parents that it was important to study hard and get a well-paid job.

I had an entrepreneurial mindset from early on, and as a youth, ventured into a number of investments with my friends. It was a very rewarding exercise.

After graduation, and starting off studying the wrong major, I realised I had a passion for finance. This led to me taking a role with one of the big four banks. It opened my eyes to see the many different approaches people take to money. Most disturbingly (to me anyway) were those who left issues of money ‘on the backburner’ until it was too late, and those who focused too heavily on the ‘now’ rather than planning for their future. 

The ‘life map’ approach is what attracted me to HPH Solutions in terms of furthering my career in finance. I love the concept of starting a journey with clients and helping them track what’s ahead and plan for the unknowns. The commitment to ‘financial advice for life’ really resonates with me.

Melissa Dixon

Client Services Associate

Liz Coles

Client Services Associate

I started at the NAB in 1983 (so I am very old) and met Greg Polglase there (which makes him older, ha.) After working as both a Bank Manager and Lending Manager in Rockingham and Mandurah, I left the working world to have a family.

On the other side of that, when I came back to work, it was in the NAB Financial Planning division. I worked there for 10 years before moving to Whitehorn Polglase.

I was with Whitehorn Polglase for eight and a half years and loved the opportunity to work closely with clients and be an active part in helping them achieve their goals. I am excited by the merger with HPH Solutions and am loving working with an expanded team of like-minded people.

Outside of work I love the AFL but sadly am a Dockers fan (that was a pre-requisite for working at Whitehorn Polglase). I also love reading and walking, and am looking forward to travelling again as this was something I did a lot of pre-COVID.

Helen Jupp

Client Services Associate

Lyarna Ball

Client Services Associate

Kylie Lindquist - Client Services

Kylie Lindquist

Client Services Associate

My siblings and I were brought up by our parents who valued family, helping others and being honest.

Helping others and being honest has always been important to me and joining the Finance Industry was another way to help others achieve their dreams.  Having worked in several Financial Planning roles, family was one thing that led to me joining HPH in 2016.

Being part of a business that puts family in the forefront and helps families change their lives for the better is very meaningful to me.

I want people to feel like they belong to our work family when they enter our doors and know we are here to help them.

Janette McMahon

Client Services Associate

I first developed an interest in the matters of money and finance when I started working for NAB. This gave me an insight into budgeting, spending wisely and setting goals.

This proved to be good grounding for the fact that after leaving NAB to have kids, when I returned to the working world, it was with financial planning company Whitehorn Polglase. I loved working in an industry that plays such an active part in helping people achieve happiness and lifestyle goals.

The merger with HPH Solutions means I’m now part of a larger team of people who are all driven to help others in the same way. I’m greatly looking to forward to learning everything I can from my new colleagues, all to the benefit of our clients and their lives.

Josh Cripps

Client Services Associate

Kimberley Smith

Client Services Associate

Kyh Dickson

Client Services Associate

Craig O’Brien

Client Services Associate

Emma Mason

Client Services Associate

Lulu Morgan

Reception & Office Administrator

Teegan Amor - Financial Advisor Associate

Teegan Amor

Paraplanner

Completing a business certificate in high school first sparked my interest in finance. While starting my degree at university with the intention to major in finance, we were presented with an opportunity to undertake a new double major, finance and financial planning. This was the first time I had really heard of financial planning, and given it still involved finance I was eager to pursue it.

Soon enough I was enjoying the financial planning side of the degree more than the finance. The more I learnt about what financial planning was, the more I could see it as a career for myself. Not only could I work in an industry that interests me, but it would also give me the opportunity to help people and have a positive impact on their lives.

After starting an internship at HPH Solutions in August 2020, and having the opportunity to see firsthand what the profession is all about, I knew this was the right career for me.

Teegan holds a Bachelor of Commerce (Finance and Financial Planning) from Curtin University and is a member of the Financial Planning Association (FPA).

Dylan Renoux

Paraplanner

My entry into the financial planning industry was a bit different to most. My sister had just completed her Commerce degree and was applying for an Associate Planner position at a financial planning firm. She got the job, declined their offer but told the directors ‘my brother might like the role, he is good with numbers’. I was always good at Maths in school.

The very next week I found myself in the same office, interviewing for the role my sister had just turned down. I guess they saw potential in me because I ended up being offered the position. This led to a rapid expansion of my knowledge of the financial planning profession and industry more broadly as I learned on the job.

My role at HPH Solutions as a paraplanner is very different to the Associate Planner role but I’m loving the learning that I’m getting and the mentorship from the other members of the team.

Dylan Renoux has a Diploma in Accounting & Cert IV in Information Technology from TAFE.

James Douglass

Paraplanner

Tom Haliday - Financial Advisor Associate

Tom Haliday

Operations Manager

Back when I was in high school, my dad had put me down the path of studying business through the school’s accounting and finance course. My teacher there had instilled in me a love for the logic and numbers that came with the subject, and I decided to go to uni to expand on my knowledge and look for a career in the industry.

As I entered uni and my studies progressed, I became disenchanted with the prospect of competing for limited jobs with hundreds of other graduates for a tedious job with a stale corporate giant, and I felt unsatisfied at the prospect that my work would do nothing to help people in a meaningful way.

Thankfully, on a whim, I’d chosen to study financial planning with accounting and found myself one of the last handful of students in the state looking to enter the financial planning industry. Having a tutor who was a planner himself, being able to share his personal experiences and teach about what financial planning was really about rekindled my love for my studies, and I developed a drive to become a planner myself.

Now I find myself at HPH learning more than I ever have before, and I’m looking at a career where I can see the direct impact of my work, helping real people as they go down life’s many paths.

Tom holds a Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting and Financial Planning) from Curtin University and is a member of the Financial Planning Association (FPA).

Elaine Forrester

Elaine Forrester

Compliance & Operations Officer

I wouldn’t say I had any particular interest in money or finance when I was growing up. But I did very much enjoy getting my passbook account book updated whenever I paid money into my account.

Having saved quite steadfastly into that account over the years, when I got my first full-time job I started setting aside a small amount each month to buy bonds. After moving out of home, I wasn’t able to maintain the extra monthly investment but I’m pleased to say I still have those bonds to this day!

Career-wise, I started in Information Technology. When I moved to Australia in 1993, all the major financial services companies were undertaking huge IT projects to prepare for new legislation being introduced in 1994. That was my introduction to the financial services world, and I found that I loved all the quirks and the ever-changing rules of the super/pension system. I’ve been working in financial services ever since.

While the fact I genuinely enjoy all the technical aspects of the industry means I really love my job here at HPH, my main reason for staying in the industry is knowing the work we do makes a genuine difference to people’s lives. And it’s really lovely to work with colleagues whose motivation is the same.

Elaine has a Bachelor of Science, a Graduate Diploma in Applied Finance and Investment, and a Graduate Diploma in Financial Planning.

Emma Pyne

Operations Support

When I was a child I remember my Nan scrimping and saving to buy my mum a dishwasher to make her life easier. She was always working to give her children the things she never had herself. Becoming a parent has helped me understand this need to provide a better life for our future generations.

Working with a team who are always striving to make life better for their clients (and not just financially) is incredibly rewarding.  I know that the work we do, making a real difference in the lives of our clients and their families, would make my Nan proud.

ADVICE
ADVICE SUPPORT
CLIENT SERVICES
MANAGEMENT
OPERATIONS
WHOLE TEAM

  • Rob Pyne

    CEO and CFP®

  • Michael Pyne

    CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER®

  • Paul Burton

    CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER®

  • Paul Black

    CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER®

  • Greg Polglase

    CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER®

  • Nick Bordi

    COO and CFP®

  • Zacary Leeson

    CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER®

  • Jeff Petrie

    Financial Planner AFP®

  • Thomas Sweeny

    CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER®

  • Liam Wallace

    Financial Planner

  • Emma Cork

    CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER®

  • Matt Hern

    CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER®

  • Norm Jupp

    CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER®

  • Sean Bennett

    Financial Planner

  • Stephen Anagno

    Financial Planner

  • Lisa Farnell

    CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER®

  • Jodie Wickham

    CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER®

  • Nathan Morgan

    Financial Planner

  • Nicola Hynes

    Associate

  • Dan Murdoch

    Associate

  • Max Pree

    Associate

  • Cale Jones

    Associate

  • Linda Sara

    Client Services Manager

  • Dennis Voo

    Client Onboarding Specialist

  • Melissa Dixon

    Client Services Associate

  • Liz Coles

    Client Services Associate

  • Helen Jupp

    Client Services Associate

  • Lyarna Ball

    Client Services Associate

  • Kylie Lindquist

    Client Services Associate

  • Janette McMahon

    Client Services Associate

  • Josh Cripps

    Client Services Associate

  • Kimberley Smith

    Client Services Associate

  • Kyh Dickson

    Client Services Associate

  • Craig O’Brien

    Client Services Associate

  • Emma Mason

    Client Services Associate

  • Lulu Morgan

    Reception & Office Administrator

  • Teegan Amor

    Paraplanner

  • Dylan Renoux

    Paraplanner

  • James Douglass

    Paraplanner

  • Tom Haliday

    Operations Manager

  • Elaine Forrester

    Compliance & Operations Officer

  • Emma Pyne

    Operations Support

Robert Pyne

Rob Pyne

CEO and CFP®

I remember being referred to as “the shy one” growing up. Perhaps I was. Being the third of four boys, some might say it was a classic case of middle-child syndrome. In any case, it made growing up on a farm pretty much perfect – lots of space and a real sense of freedom. I loved it. I reckon Mum appreciated the space too, having four boys.

I finished school in the country then moved to the city and completed a degree in science but began to develop a strong interest in finance.

My first full-time job was in a Perth-based business that was pioneering a new administration service to support financial planners and their clients. It inspired me to complete post-graduate studies in financial planning. I wanted to learn more about how I could improve my own financial life and ultimately the lives of others. I learned that financial planning is about helping people meet their life goals through the proper management of their money. Now, after more than 20 years of financial planning, I have since learned that some life goals are common to all of us and that money is just a tool to help achieve them.

Reflecting back on my childhood – the sense of freedom and space that I felt – I now know that money is just a means to that end. It is a passion and a privilege to help others in their journey.

Rob is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® professional (CFP®) and has a Bachelor of Science and a Graduate Diploma in Financial Planning.

Rob was awarded the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® Professional Best Practice Award for WA in 2012 and has been recognised as a member of the “Masterclass for Financial Planning” in 2007, 2008 and 2009 as voted by The Australian Financial Review Smart Investor. Rob is a member of the Financial Planning Association (FPA).

Rob is a Director and Representative of TFG Australia Pty Ltd, AFS Licence No. 337755.

Michael Pyne - Certified Financial Planner

Michael Pyne

CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER®

Growing up on a farm as the youngest of four boys, we spent a lot of time together as a family as we were a half-hour drive from the closest town and our school. This time spent together as a family helped shaped my view on how important family is and to this day, my definition of success relates to my relationships with family.

Growing up in a household with three older brothers led to the inevitable arguments that all siblings have. The resilience that this taught me was certainly needed in 2008 when I had recently joined HPH as a business partner and the GFC (Global Financial Crisis) hit. I had a wife and young daughter at home as well as business commitments to our clients and staff to get through this challenging time. It was at this stage that my resilience was tested but my faith in family paid off.

At the height of the global financial crisis, we had a business partner who wanted to follow his own path and go it alone. This was a time of great uncertainty for the business but over a period of six months, we negotiated his exit. During this time, we undertook a lot of soul searching but my brother and I committed to each other to work to get through the tough times in the hope that good times will follow. In the years that have followed, HPH has grown from 4 to 14 people and we continue to serve and support our wonderful clients, helping them on their life journey.

Michael is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® professional (CFP®) and has a Bachelor of Commerce and a Graduate Diploma in Financial Planning. Michael is a member of the Financial Planning Association (FPA)

Michael is a Director and Representative of TFG Australia Pty Ltd, AFS Licence No. 337755.

Paul Burton - Certified Financial Planner

Paul Burton

CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER®

I grew up on a farm, left home at an early age to go to boarding school, moved to the city after leaving school, then moved to Sydney for 12 months. I learned some important lessons during these early years that have shaped my personal and professional life ever since. These are:

  • Treat others as you would like to be treated
  • Sacrifices are a part of life
  • The harder you work the luckier you become
  • Life is always changing
  • Life isn’t always fair
  • Control what you can control

I commenced my working career in banking. It was while in a personal lending role with the bank that I got to see the results of some people receiving poor advice and/or making simple mistakes with their finances. This led me to complete studies in financial planning and move to the financial planning division of the bank. While this was great for my initial training and experience, as time went on I decided that I wanted to do more than the bank could offer.

After a lengthy discussion with my family and mentors, I realised that I wanted to work with people on an ongoing basis who wanted guidance to help them avoid wealth-destroying mistakes, which then allows them to focus on what is important to them and live a full and enjoyable life.

Once I had settled this in my mind, I needed to start or join a business more aligned with my values and philosophy. After meaningful discussions with the partners at HPH, I joined the team. It really was an easy decision to make.

Paul is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® professional (CFP®) and has a Diploma in Financial Planning from FINSIA. Paul is a member of both the Financial Planning Association (FPA) and Self Managed Super Fund Association.

Paul is a Director and Representative of TFG Australia Pty Ltd, AFS License No. 337755.

Paul Black

CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER®

I had an interest in money from an early age. My mum was not wealthy, so I had to make the money myself if I wanted a Commodore 64 like my friends. My first real job was at Hungry Jacks when I was 14. I could not reach the microwave for the first interview so I bought some bigger shoes and got the job the second time around. My sister said I was so enamoured by my first pay packet I kissed and sniffed my money for a week. On the rare occasion I have banknotes these days I still give them a sniff but the plastic notes aren’t quite as satisfying.

Maybe it was this love of money that led me to accounting. My dad was an accountant but also worked for a bookmaker so I was around money a lot. After practising as an accountant for my first decade in the workforce and becoming a CPA, I learned accounting was only one piece of the puzzle when it came to helping people. Having specialised in Self Managed Super Funds, I found it fascinating that some clients succeeded in investing whilst others frequently lost large sums of money. However, the advice we gave was limited to compliance and tax after they had already lost the money, which did not help them much. After seeing that many of them never sought financial advice, or if they did, the advice they received was poor, I decided to study to become a financial adviser. I tried to wear both the accountant and advisor hats for a while but found you could only really wear one. Twenty years on, this is even more true.

The knowledge of these two disciplines has given me a good ability to combine the taxation and strategic aspects of a plan with the investments required to meet objectives. Growing up with a super-cautious mum and risk-taking dad has helped me manage client behaviour so you end up somewhere in the middle of these two emotions. Whilst preserving money is very important you must also take some risks to ensure you can live a more fulfilling life.

Paul is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® professional (CFP®), has a Bachelor of Accounting and Finance and is a CERTIFIED PRACTICING ACCOUNTANT (CPA).

Paul is a representative of TFG Australia Pty Ltd, AFS Licence No. 337755.

Greg Polglase

CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER®

As the middle child of a five-child family, with parents who both worked full-time as teachers, I learned to be independent from a very young age. I remember working for Crystal Cool Drinks when I was 12, doing door-to-door sales to earn the pocket money I needed to buy the latest Status Quo and Suzi Quatro records. (OK, I admit it, I also joined the ABBA fan club.)

Like most boys growing up in metro Perth, I spent my youth playing Australian rules football in the winter and cricket in the summer. I wasn’t great at school and the only subjects I really enjoyed were Phys Ed and Maths. (For some reason, I found Maths easy). By the time I reached Year 12, I was still very naive and had no clue about want I wanted to do. Lucky for me, my Dad got me a job with the Bank. I was saved!

There’s a saying: “You’re the same today as you’ll be in five years except for two things: the people you meet and the books you read”.

Lucky for me, I spent 17 years with NAB and met some truly wonderful people (including my wife). I had some great mentors early in my career to help me grow and mature into a professional person. I was able to work with clients of all different backgrounds and this provided me with valuable skills

In the prime of my banking career, I came across a book that I can recommend to anyone: Awaken the Giant Within by Tony Robbins. I guess it inspired an epiphany of sorts as it made me realise I wanted more – I wanted to make a difference. I left NAB to take up a new job inside an Accounting practice learning Financial Planning. I loved the financial planning role as it was an opportunity to use all my knowledge to help clients achieve their goals.

In 2003, Geoff Whitehorn and I formed Whitehorn Polglase Financial Advisers. We operated successfully for 15 years before Geoff sadly passed away after a battle with cancer. I continued with the business all the while knowing I needed to ensure our clients were supported well into the future. This saw us merge with HPH Solutions in February 2022.

The HPH team are very professional and have a ‘client-first’ approach – something that was a key for me to ensure that myself and my clients were part of a successful team.

My wife Janice and I have two wonderful boys who are making their own way in life. When I’m not looking after my clients, I’m a passionate Fremantle Dockers supporter. I also play a bit of golf, keep fit and love strumming the guitar. I keep practising so that I can be a rock star when I grow up!

Greg is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® professional (CFP®) and has a Graduate Diploma in Financial Planning.

Greg is a representative of TFG Australia Pty Ltd, AFS Licence No. 337755.

Nick Bordi

Nick Bordi

COO and CFP®

I grew up before it was cool to be a nerd. And in every way, I was a nerd. I’ve always been a strategic thinker with a tendency to over analyse anything that could be measured. Looking back, financial planning was such an obvious fit for me. I’m glad I stumbled into it.

Finishing up at Curtin Uni with a Bachelor of Commerce, I had no idea what to do next. I felt I didn’t have enough information to decide what I wanted to spend my life doing, so I avoided the decision entirely. I applied for every job with the word “finance” in the title. Years later, here I am, loving the fact my days are spent having interesting conversations and helping people see progress towards what’s important to them.

My hobbies include tinkering with my 1990 MX-5 and regularly putting it to the test around Barbagallo Raceway. I’ve learned that the slowest, least exciting looking lap is often the quickest. Similarly, a financial plan can be effective and based on complex principles, without being confusing or complicated. Figuring out where you’re going, starting with a map and staying on track is the best way to reach the finish line. Helping people at each stage of this process is one of the most rewarding parts of being a financial planner.

Nick is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® professional (CFP®). He has a Bachelor of Commerce (Economics and Finance), Diploma of Financial Planning and is an SMSF Specialist (SSA).

Nick is an employee Representative of TFG Australia Pty Ltd, AFS Licence No. 337755.

Zacary Leeson - Certified Financial Planner

Zacary Leeson

CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER®

It is fair to say that most people growing up don’t long to be a financial planner. Growing up in the small town of Waroona, I hadn’t even heard of the profession. My days were more concerned with friends, holidays and if I was ever going to be a famous AFL footballer. I wasn’t by the way.

It was not until I reached the end of high school that I was confronted with the more serious questions from my folks: What are you going to do with your life? Do you have a plan? My parents had worked hard to raise me, and I had never gone without, but I had no answers for them. What I did know was that I liked sport and numbers, so why not complete a degree in Sports Science and Commerce to get the best of both worlds? What I did not account for was stumbling into a whole new one.

I could never have imagined meeting so many people from different cultures, who held different values and led different lifestyles. It was hard to comprehend how some people were spending their summers travelling Europe while others worked around the clock to make ends meet. During this time I developed such an appreciation for the value of money but also an understanding that everyone had their own path to follow. For me, I wanted security and the ability to provide for my future family and of course to retire at the age of 30.

I think this ultimate realisation is what drew me to financial planning, well that and a gentle nudge from my close friend and former colleague Rachel Blake. I consider myself very lucky and very privileged to work alongside like-minded passionate people who thrive on guiding people through their financial life. As for retiring at age 30… that may have been somewhat overzealous.

Zac is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® professional (CFP®) and a member of the Financial Planning Association (FPA). Zac has a double Bachelor’s degree in Commerce and Science and a Diploma of Financial Planning.

Zac is an employee Representative of TFG Australia Pty Ltd, AFS Licence No. 337755.

Jeff Petrie - Certified Financial Planner

Jeff Petrie

Financial Planner AFP®

I have always been interested in money.

As a kid I used to think of ways to set up new businesses to earn a few dollars to save for the future.

I had a variety of investments as a teen that helped me understand the concepts of investing and to learn of its importance, the good and the bad.

So it was a natural transition for me to move through banking into financial planning to help others understand these concepts as well.

What I came to realise quickly was that financial planning isn’t just about money. I got to see very well-off people that had more money than they could spend in two lifetimes still working or holding off doing what they wanted to do due to a fear of “not having enough”. I also have seen many instances of people spending more than they earn on “stuff” which keeps them from spending time with their families or what they would prefer to be doing.

We all live busy lives. I see our job as helping people work out what is their ideal life and building the financial resources to enable this to be achieved or maintained.

Like most things that matter, this isn’t easy and there are lots of ways to journey to this point, but we can partner with you in this journey using our skills, helping you plan, track and adjust these plans, taking into consideration what “life” throws at us along the way to help you achieve your ideal.

Jeff holds an Advanced Diploma of Financial Services (Financial Planning) and a Masters in Financial Planning. Jeff is also a member of the Financial Planning Association (FPA).

Jeff is an employee Representative of TFG Australia Pty Ltd, AFS Licence No. 337755.

Thomas Sweeny - Certified Financial Planner

Thomas Sweeny

CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER®

Growing up I was always a ‘why’ person. I learnt quite early on that it was important to not just accept information at face value and always try to question and understand things.

Those around me always did the best they could to provide the appropriate answers to questions I raised, however, money questions were never answered with a straight face, I remember responses along the lines of “money doesn’t grow on trees” or “you’ll understand better one day.” I did my best to understand the complexities of money. All that I do remember is constantly seeing money as the cause of so many problems.

I remember the common question asked at family gatherings when I was quite young being “what’s your favourite school subject” to which I would usually reply “maths”- it just made sense to me. As the years went on I began to enjoy working with numbers less and less and joked that when the alphabet was brought into the classroom my enjoyment of maths disappeared. Maths had lost its meaning and I couldn’t see the value in trying to calculate a derivative for the sake of answering question 39c) of the third of ten chapters – I needed more meaning than “practice makes perfect”.

In high school, I fell in love with economics – this was the first time someone or something could explain financial markets to me, it was so intriguing, all the complexities and finally a way of using mathematics but with a purpose. Again, in my studies there was evidence of people making financial mistakes, whether it be fundamentals such as spending more than they earn and getting themselves into credit card debt or working a part-time job and noticing all these people not interested in their superannuation from such a young age. Economics became my focus – it just made sense, there was someone for once talking about financial issues in a logical way that inspired me to follow the commerce pathway into university.

I was fortunate enough to be given the opportunity to spend my university years in an administration role in a small financial planning firm, grasping the basics and learning both at work and at university. I also worked in both hospitality and retail roles during this time – making the most of semester breaks earning extra money where I could and enjoying connecting with customers on a more personal level.

Skip a few years and now I am fortunate enough to work with HPH Solutions where we help our clients along their journey to a better financial life. It’s hard to explain why I enjoy what I do however I guess working with numbers with a purpose does make it more enjoyable than just to get to the end of a mathematics exercise book.

Thomas has a Bachelor of Commerce (Finance and Economics) degree and Diploma of Financial Planning. Thomas is also a member of the Financial Planning Association (FPA).

Thomas is an employee Representative of TFG Australia Pty Ltd, AFS Licence No. 337755.

Liam Wallace

Financial Planner

When I was in primary school, I wanted to be a lawyer. Not because of the occupation itself but the recognition that is was a profession that paid a big income. I always aspired to have a career that gave me the financial freedom to live comfortably; a nice home, a flash car, the choice to jump on a plane and go wherever.

As I grew older, I became less concerned about the material things and instead wanted a deeper understanding of the how and why of wealth accumulation. I started studying Accounting at university, but it quickly became clear that accounting wasn’t for me because it was backward-looking, one year at a time. And it wasn’t very dynamic.

Financial planning, on the other hand, excited me. It was a new offering at university and offered me a chance to educate myself (and eventually others) about constructing and implementing a long-term wealth accumulation plan. All while learning about other important aspects of financial planning such as protecting that wealth and ensuring it passes on to the right people when we go.

After an initial meeting with my parents’ financial planner, Dean Farmer, I was fortunate enough to start working with him on a casual basis whilst studying at university. I have now been with the same practice for over 14 years and have seen the financial planning landscape change dramatically in that time.

For me, the best part about this career are the people and relationships forged along the way. The privilege and personal satisfaction I get from partnering with people to help bring their plan to life while riding alongside them for the journey – that means more than any of the material things I aspired to as a child.

Liam has a Bachelor of Commerce (Financial Planning) from Curtin University of Technology (Perth).

Liam is a representative of TFG Australia Pty Ltd, AFS Licence No. 337755.

Emma Cork

CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER®

I grew up in a small wheatbelt town called Shackleton. We had a small farm because my Dad had polio as a child and could not physically manage a large property.

As a child, I was very aware of the seasonality of our family’s income. And the need to save money in the years of good harvest to keep us going in those years that weren’t as good.

I attended Boarding School in Perth and my first job was working for Bird Cameron Accountants. I then went on to work for a financial planning business at the age of 21 and this triggered the start of my financial planning education journey.

It was the start of a financial planning journey for my parents too as they were selling the family farm at the time. I ended up leaving that firm to work in Sydney, but my parents engaged their services. And I’m so glad they did because they were able to be there for my family in our darkest hour when we lost Dad to cancer.

The work they did added significant value to my family’s financial position at the time, and it really reinforced the importance of seeking and receiving strong financial advice.

It also confirmed to me that I’d chosen a career path that could really help people and make a big difference to their lives. It is such a huge vote of trust for someone to ask you to help them manage their money. Over the course of my 20-year career, I’ve had the privilege of helping many clients through life’s challenges.

Financial planning is a rewarding profession in so many ways and I am very grateful to be on the journey to helping so many people improve their financial wellbeing.

Emma is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® professional (CFP®), a member of the Financial Planning Association (FPA) and has a Diploma of Financial Planning from Deakin University (Melbourne).

Emma is an employee Representative of TFG Australia Pty Ltd, AFS Licence No. 337755.

Matt Hern

CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER®

My first career in the 1990s was as a graduate Engineer in the Oil and Gas industry. What struck me from my time working offshore was that many people told me “I want to quit working away, but feel I can’t afford to.”

Honestly, that scared me! It prompted me to start learning about money, which eventually led to my career change into financial planning.

In applying what I was learning to my own life I quickly realised, it’s not about the money. What mattered more were the life experiences the money helped facilitate. I also realised that it didn’t really matter how much I knew about money, the actions I actually took were what made a difference.

Those realisations reignited the interest in human behaviour and the meaning of life that I’d had since being a typical angsty teenager. I studied life coaching and spent a lot of time reading research and books about how we can live a flourishing life. Philosophical life discussions over coffee is one of my favourite pastimes.

As a financial planner, I love blending social science with personal finance to help you afford a life you love and lights you up!

Matt is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® professional (CFP®) and has a Bachelor of Engineering, a Graduate Diploma in Financial Planning and a Certificate of Life Coaching.

Matt has been recognised as a member of the “Masterclass for Financial Planning” in 2004, 2007 and 2008 as voted by The Australian Financial Review Smart Investor. Matt is a member of the Financial Planning Association of Australia (FPA).

Norm Jupp

CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER®