In this episode of The Trusted Adviser, host Rob Pyne sits down with Andrew Dunbar, Director of Apt Wealth Partners, and Abbie Gellatly, Head of People and Culture, to explore how one of Australia’s most awarded advice firms is preparing for the future of financial planning.
From graduate pathways and mentoring models to flexible benefits and employee ownership, Apt Wealth has built a culture of growth, leadership, and alignment. Andrew and Abbie share practical insights into how they:
- Transition client relationships to next-gen advisers
- Create transparent remuneration and equity models
- Foster authentic leadership development across their team
Whether you’re looking to scale your advice business or build a team that stays and thrives, this conversation offers valuable takeaways on culture, talent, and the future of advice.
LISTEN
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SHOW NOTES
Topics discussed
- Why Apt Wealth sees talent development as a strategic priority, not just a HR initiative
- How their graduate and PY programs create long-term career pathways
- The mechanics behind their client transition model using primary and secondary advisers
- How transparency in bonuses, equity, and KPIs empowers high performance
- Why ‘advantages’ – like mental health days and fertility leave – boost engagement
- How their employee share ownership plan aligns team members with long-term business success
- The importance of teaching leaders to give effective feedback and own their development
- What scale brings to an advice firm – and why the ‘deadly middle’ is at risk
- Apt’s approach to driving change, avoiding change fatigue, and investing in technology
Quotes
- “You’ll regret the things you didn’t do, more than the things you did.” – Andrew Dunbar
- “The firms thriving tomorrow are investing in people, not just performance.” – Andrew Dunbar
- “If you want to scale with purpose, start by building your own talent pipeline.” – Rob Pyne
- “Attracting grads is easy. Developing them into future leaders is the hard part—and the part that matters.” – Abbie Gellatly
- “Culture isn’t a poster on the wall – it’s how you prepare your team for what’s next.” – Andrew Dunbar
- “Progress beats perfection. Take the next step now, even if it’s small.” – Abbie Gellatly
- “Leadership isn’t a title – it’s a behaviour. And it starts with how you show up every day.” – Rob Pyne
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.