Who we are
We are a financial planning business based in Wollongong and have been providing professional planning advice since 2004.
We are passionate about helping businesses and individuals achieve their financial and lifestyle goals. Our aim is to build long-term partnerships with our clients and assist them in building, protecting and managing their wealth and lifestyle for them and their families.
So, whether you are approaching retirement, starting a business, changing careers or moving from two incomes to one, we can help you:
- choose appropriate investment strategies
- plan for your retirement
- protect you and your family
- make the most of your superannuation
- budgeting & managing your money
Meet Our Advisers
Bernard Begg
Managing Director/Senior Partner
Bernard has over 14 yrs experience in the Banking and Financial Services industry. Bernard has previously been an Adviser and held Senior Management roles within the industry. Bernard’s experience brings a balanced approach to dealing with clients facing change and seeking financial security. Bernard has been involved in local sport as both a player and coach for many years in Rugby, Rugby League and Cricket. Bernard is married to Alison and have, Jack, Ellie and Harry to look after them in old age.
Advice I specialise in includes:
- Investments strategies (strategic asset allocation)
- Budget and cash flow management
- Debt management (including borrowing for personal purposes)
- Salary packaging
- Superannuation strategies and retirement planning
- Personal insurance
- Estate planning
- Centrelink and other government benefits
- Ongoing advice and services, including regular portfolio reviews
Qualifications and Memberships
- Adv Dip FS
- Dip FS (Finance/Mortage Broking Management)
- TASA and TPB code of professional conduct
- Member AFA
- Fellow CFP
Rick Nicholson
Senior Financial Planner
I have been a Financial Planner for over 22 years and I have offices located in Wollongong, Sydney, Canberra and Bathurst. I have over 36 years of experience in the financial services industry and have previously worked for Commonwealth Financial Planning for nearly 10 years.
I am passionate about helping clients, families and business create comprehensive advice strategies to secure their future and live their best life.
I particularly enjoy helping retiree and aged care clients through all the complexities of superannuation and investments to simplify access to maximising Centrelink entitlements.
My strengths are the rapport and relationships I build and maintain with my clients.
I provide financial advice to clients for :
- Retirement Planning
- Aged Care
- Centrelink Strategies
- Assistance and applications
- Superannuation
- Account Based Pensions
- Annuities
- Managed Funds
- Investments
- Personal Risk Insurance including Life, TPD, Trauma and Income Protection
Gareth Adams
Senior Financial Planner/Partner
Gareth has eleven years of experience in the financial services sector having worked with StatePlus, St George Bank, CBA and Count Financial. Prior to this he worked for the Financial Information Service within Centrelink. His years of experience and education leave him well position to provide you with expert guidance in unravelling the financial complexities involved in achieving your goals.
He enjoys bushwalking, reading and has two sons who are happy to help in filling up the rest of his spare time.
Advice I specialise in includes:
- Investments strategies (strategic asset allocation)
- Budget and cash flow management
- Debt management (including borrowing for personal purposes)
- Salary packaging
- Superannuation strategies and retirement planning
- Personal insurance
- Estate planning
- Centrelink and other government benefits
- Ongoing advice and services, including regular portfolio reviews
- Aged care
Qualifications and memberships
- CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER®
- Bachelor of Business (Financial Planning)
Mark Anderson
Senior Financial Planner/Partner
Mark is born and bred in Bathurst and brings over 12 years of Financial Planning experience to the business. Mark was previously a stockbroker in Sydney until the lure of regional NSW drew him back home. He brings with him an abundance of knowledge and experience in all areas of financial planning including wealth creation, retirement planning (super and pensions), tax planning, Centrelink and Aged Care. Complementing Mark's technical knowledge and attention to detail, he prides himself on his affable nature and ability to explain complex strategies in an easy to understand way so there is complete peace of mind for his clients. In his spare time Mark is a keen motorbike enthusiast and was the former Australian Champion at Street Luge.
Mark is a graduate form Charles Sturt University with a Bachelor of Business and holds an Advanced Diploma in Financial Services (Financial Planning).
Qualifications and memberships
- Bachelor of Business (Finance/Marketing)
- Advanced Diploma of Financial Services
- Diploma of Financial Services
- Financial Planner AFP – Financial Planning Association of Australia (FPA)
Stuart Gilchrist
Senior Financial Planner/Partner
Stuart has more than 12 years of experience in the financial services sector having worked with, St George Bank, and most recently in his own Practice which has been merged with Spencer Fuller in January 2019. Prior to this he worked at Colonial First State for six years, supporting independent financial advisers. His wealth of experience and business knowledge is a significant asset to the practice as well as being able to provide his clients with expert guidance in understanding the financial complexities involved in achieving their goals.
Stuart is married and spends most of his time supporting his three children at school and in their sports, including athletics, swimming, and soccer. What time there is left Stuart keeps active with swimming, bushwalking, or riding trails through the bush, and watching the Wallabies play rugby.
Advice I specialise in includes:
- Investments strategies (strategic asset allocation)
- Budget and cash flow management
- Debt management (including borrowing for personal purposes)
- Salary packaging
- Superannuation strategies and retirement planning
- Personal insurance
- Estate planning
- Centrelink and other government benefits
- Ongoing advice and services, including regular portfolio reviews
- Aged care
Andrew (Jian Yi) Lao
Senior Financial Planner
Email: andrew@dewandpartners.com.au
Andrew believes financial planning is not a transactional arrangement, it is a relationship that is built on trust. Whilst Andrew has worked for large national businesses, he prefers smaller local financial planning practices that are client focused.
Andrew has been in the Financial Services Industry since 2001. In his late 20's Andrew owned businesses in the retail and hospitality industry. In 2005 he re-entered financial planning with a deeper understanding of business ownership which he has used to better serve his clients.
Andrew is married and enjoys spending time with his wife and 2 young children, hoping to teach them the joys of fishing and camping in the future.
Qualifications and Memberships
- Bachelor of Commerce
- Diploma of Financial Services
- Advanced Diploma of Financial Services
- CFP
Advice I specialise in includes:
- Investments strategies (strategic asset allocation)
- Budget and cash flow management
- Debt management (including borrowing for personal purposes)
- Salary packaging
- Superannuation strategies and retirement planning
- Personal insurance
- Estate planning
- Centrelink and other government benefits
Support team
Trudy Donnelly
Implementation and Compliance Manager
Anil Chaudhary
Paraplanning Manager
Belinda Johan
Client Services Manager
Sean Butcher
Client Relationship Consultant
As an Illawarra local Sean has been committed to providing advice to local individuals, families and businesses for over 20 years. He is a full member of the Financial Planning Association of Australia and has achieved the much sought after title of CFP (Certified Financial Planner). He works closely with and for his community within business and government organisations in the Wollongong / Shellharbour area to benefit his clients.
Sean started his own Financial Planning practice in 2002 which has grown to a team of 7 full time employees. Sean's advice to his clients is life is too short; we need to ensure we have a good work / life balance to do things we enjoy - by planning your future now we can help you achieve your dreams.
Qualifications:
- Bachelor of Commerce - University of Wollongong
- Masters of Business Administration - Finance - Southern Cross University
- Diploma of Financial Planning - Deakin University
- Masters of Financial Planning - University of the Sunshine Coast
- Certified Financial Planner
Memberships and Associations:
- Member of the Australian Financial Planning Association
- Justice of the Peace
- Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors
- Member of the Australian Taxpayers Association
Experience:
- Financial Planner since 1999
- Company director since 1990
- Justice of the peace since 2001
- Banking officer since 1997
Lauren Swain
Practice Manager
Emmanuel Casquejo
Senior Financial Planning Assistant
Anna Baya-On
Financial Planning Assistant
Jaica Macamay
Financial Planning Assistant