In this episode of The Trusted Adviser, host Rob Pyne sits down with Ben Calder, Managing Director of Calder Wealth Management, to unpack the recent merger with Coastal Advice Group. Together with Dan Brown, Ben has built one of the fastest-growing financial advice businesses in Australia.
Ben shares the inside story of how this merger came to life — from early conversations and cultural alignment, to the role Merchant Investment Management played, to the practical challenges of integrating two large advice firms. He also reflects on leadership, growth, and why bringing the next generation of advisers and owners into the fold is central to their vision.
Whether you’re an adviser considering growth through M&A, a business owner preparing for succession, or simply curious about how two like-minded firms can combine to build something bigger, this episode offers valuable insights from one of the industry’s leaders.
LISTEN
SHOW NOTES
Topics discussed
- How long-term professional relationships can evolve into business partnerships
- Why cultural alignment is critical in mergers and acquisitions
- The role of Merchant Investment Management in enabling growth and governance
- The practical realities of post-merger integration (systems, communication, teams)
- Insights into succession planning and creating equity opportunities for advisers
- The future growth ambitions for the Calder–Coastal group
Episode Highlights
(Timestamps are approximate)
- [02:30] – How Ben first connected with Dan Brown and the foundation of their relationship
- [07:15] – The trust and cultural alignment that paved the way for merger talks
- [12:40] – Why the merger was about growth, not cost-cutting
- [17:25] – The involvement of Merchant Investment Management and its impact on governance
- [22:10] – The challenges of integrating back-office systems and client data
- [27:00] – Client communications and ensuring continuity of service through change
- [30:15] – New opportunities that scale unlocks: pricing, aged care advice, mortgage broking
- [33:45] – Ben’s vision for growing future leaders and broadening the shareholder base
- [36:00] – Advice for other principals considering succession or merger opportunities
Resources & Links
- Connect with Rob Pyne on LinkedIn
- Follow The Trusted Adviser Podcast for more conversations with leaders in financial planning
- Learn more about Calder Wealth Management and Coastal Advice Group
Show notes and transcript
For the full show notes and transcript from this episode, head to the episode page on The Trusted Adviser Website here.