About the speakers

David Sharpe CFP®
Chair, FAAA
David is Chair of the FAAA Board and has been a financial planner and FAAA member since 2003. He is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® professional, has completed a Diploma in Financial Planning and holds a Bachelor of Commerce (Distinction) from Curtin University. David runs his own self-licensed financial planning firm, Globe Financial Planning, based in West Perth. In 2016 he was shortlisted for the FAAA CFP® Professional of the Year Award. Prior to being elected onto the board David spent four years on the WA FAAA Chapter, including two years as Chapter Chair. David can often be found in various media roles (TV, radio and print) advocating strongly for the value of advice. David chairs the Governance and Remuneration Committee, and is a member of the Board Finance, Risk and Audit Committee.

Sarah Abood
CEO, FAAA
Sarah has over 25 years’ experience working in the financial services industry and she is a passionate advocate for financial planning. Sarah has a deep understanding of the financial planning profession, and the demands of running a financial planning practice. This was gained from her nine years as CEO of Profile Financial Services, a privately-owned and self-licensed financial planning firm and FPA Professional Practice. Prior to commencing as FAAA CEO, Sarah held the position of chief operating officer at HOPE Housing Funds Management. She has also worked in senior change and transformation, and marketing roles for some of Australia’s leading financial institutions. Sarah holds a BA from the University of Sydney, an MBA from Macquarie University (MGSM) and is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Phil Anderson
GM Policy, Advocacy & Standards, FAAA
Phil had spent over 10 years at the Association of Financial Advisers (AFA), including most recently as CEO before the successful vote to merge with the Financial Planning Association (FPA). He has previously worked for Netwealth as General Manager Governance and Advice, and Colonial First State, where he was the Head of Risk Management & Compliance for the CFS Advice business. Phil has been in the financial services industry for over 25 years, having also worked with AMP, MLC and Perpetual. Phil has been responsible for policy, including the Quality of Advice Review, and the implementation of the requirements of the Professional Standards legislation and the Royal Commission Recommendations. Phil has previously been integrally involved in the FoFA, TASA, Education/Professional Standards and the Life Insurance Framework debates including driving the development of submissions to FASEA, Treasury, ASIC, the Tax Practitioners Board and Parliamentary Committees. Phil is a CPA and has a Bachelor and Masters of Commerce along with the DFP and ADFP.

George John
Senior Manager, Government Relations & Policy, FAAA
George John has been with the FAAA for most of the term of the Albanese government. He is charged with managing, improving and sustaining the FAAA's relations with all federal parliamentarians. A stakeholder and government relations professional, he has spent most of his professional career working in and around government.