Management Team

Distribution and Sales Support

Peter Burns – National Distribution Manager

Peter joined Midwinter in May 2008 as the National Head of Distribution. Peter is responsible for overseeing Midwinter’s key account management and business development activities. With over 24 years experience in the financial services industry, Peter has held a variety of senior technical and distribution positions within major funds management business across Australia.

Prior to joining Midwinter, Peter was the National Head of Key Accounts at Advance Asset Management. Peter has a strong background in the technical aspects of superannuation and investments through his time working with AM Corporation and MLC.

Bill Faraj, State Manager – Victoria

Bill joined Midwinter January 2008 as a Technical Services Manager, and was promoted to State Manager – Victoria in October 2009. Bill is responsible for the distribution and ongoing support of Midwinter’s Reasonable Basis authorised representative users throughout Victoria. With expertise in practice development, generating revenue and referral business and a background in paraplanning and advising, Bill is expertly positioned – as Victorian advisers will testify – to demonstrate the value of Midwinter within any financial planning practice.

Bill has over 5 years experience working in the financial services industry. Prior to joining Midwinter as Technical Services Manager in 2008, Bill worked as an adviser technical consultant and paraplanner with First Capital and Telstra Super Financial Planning. Bill has completed his Diploma of Financial Services (Financial Planning) and is about to complete a Bachelor of Business majoring in Financial Planning.

Rob Gjorgioski, State Manager – Queensland

Rob joined Midwinter in May 2009 from Advance, and prior to that St.George Margin Lending where he held the position of Senior Business Manager for six years. Rob is a native Queenslander who has a great knowledge of the Queensland financial planning market. Rob has developed a great reputation over many years as a highly professional person who is dedicated to delivering outstanding service to advisers and their clients.

Tony Skinner, State Manager – South Australia

Tony has over 20 years in the Finance Industry, performing a variety of functions including Financial Planning, Professional Trusteeship, Funds Management & administration, Trust Deed administration with Bridgestone and Adelaide Bank, Board of Advice, Sales, Education and extensive public speaking.

Tony Skinner’s previous role was State Manager (SA) for Advance Asset Management.

Financial Advice Support

Reda Daher – Manager, Paraplanning

Reda joined Midwinter in September 2008. Reda Daher was formerly an associate adviser and paraplanner at Omniwealth and has six years experience in paraplanning and financial planning.

Reda has a Bachelor of Mathematics & Finance and has completed his Advanced Diploma of Financial Planning.

Justin Labruna – Manager, Training Co-ordination

Justin Labruna was formerly with AMP Financial Planning firm, EWL & Associates Financial Services, and was accepted into AMP’s Planner Pathways Program.

Justin has over seven years experience within financial services with over five years in financial planning.

Development

Pratik Patel – Information Systems Manager

Pratik heads up the technology support offer to Midwinter’s financial planner clients.

Pratik was formerly a Business Analyst with Centrepoint Asset Management and COIN Financial Planning Software. Prior to that Pratik has worked at AMP as an Associate Adviser in CCC. Pratik has over five years experience within financial services, working closely with financial advisers.

Pratik holds a Masters of Information Systems and Management, Diploma of Business Management, Diploma of Financial Planning and is currently completing his Advanced Diploma of Financial Planning.

Research & Compliance

Jamie Kennedy – Manager, Superannuation Research

Jamie manages much of the superannuation product research that powers Midwinter’s Reasonable Basis software. Jamie’s previous roles were with ORIX and Associate Actuary with Zurich Financial Services, specifically dealing with disability income replacement products. Jamie is associate member of the Institute of Actuaries of Australia.

Joanne Jarmain – Manager, Pensions & Investments Research

Joanne heads up the research process for Midwinter’s Pensions and Investments database.

Joanne has over 10 years of experience in managed funds research. Previous positions have included roles with ASSIRT research and Standard and Poors.