AGENDA DAY 1
Wealth Symposium 2026 | Victoria
TUESDAY 13 OCTOBER | 18:15
PRE-EVENT COCKTAIL HOUR
Join us for spicy margaritas and oysters at Bomboras – 37 The Esplanade, Torquay
WEDNESDAY 14 OCTOBER | 08:30
REGISTRATION
09:00
WELCOME
TRACEY McNAUGHTON, Chairperson
Tracey has 30 years investment, funds management and financial markets experience. Tracey’s executive role is Chief Investment Officer at Escala Partners, a leading wealth management business for ultra-high net worth individuals and not-for-profit institutions, where she oversees a team that manages over $7 billion in financial assets. In 2022 she was appointed non-executive director of the Winston Churchill Trust where she also sits on the Investment Audit and Risk Committee. In 2024 she was appointed a Board Director of the CFA Society Australia where she also sits on the Finance, Risk and Audit Committee. She is a CFA charter holder and is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
09:20
WHAT ARE THEY PAYING YOU FOR? GROWTH, VALUE AND THE CLIENT WHO DID THE WORK
A session about growth, value proposition and how the adviser conversation changes when the client walks in having already done the work.
SPEAKERS:
Mark Zaglas, Principal, Encore
Cameron Spittle, Managing Partner, Trellia Wealth Partners
Marcus Ainger, Partner, Prime Financial Group
SPEAKERS
Wealth Symposium 2026 | VIC Day 1
Mark Zaglas
Principal
Encore
With over 25 years of experience in financial services, Mark Zaglas is Principal of Evidentia Group’s business consulting arm – Encore Advisory. He leads with a simple belief: that owners of advice businesses deserve better returns on their business and life – and that there is no better cause than helping them to deliver more and better life-changing advice to the Australian community.
Mark and the Encore team work alongside financial planning, mortgage broking, and accounting firms to help them scale sustainably, build strong leadership and sales teams, and create exceptional client experiences.
Mark’s signature strengths have been honed over two decades of developing 100s of profitable Sales and Financial Services businesses and understanding what lies at the heart of their success. A trusted adviser to advice business owners across Australia, Mark brings clarity, confidence, and practical strategies that drive commercial and cultural results.
Mark’s strength lies in uncovering what’s truly important (your why) and building new capability (i.e. implementing) to help businesses get to where they want to go. As an experienced business leader and performance coach, he draws on his real-world view of sales and leadership to help clients improve performance and realise their business and human potential.
Cameron Spittle
Managing Partner
Trellia Wealth Partners
Cameron is Managing Partner at Trellia Wealth Partners. With a background spanning advice, platforms, managed accounts and consulting, he helps advice businesses grow more profitable, scale efficiently and adapt to change, without losing sight of client value.
Marcus Ainger
Partner
Prime Financial Group
Marcus Ainger is a Partner and Senior Financial Adviser at Prime Financial Group, an ASX-listed advice firm managing close to $2BN in funds under management. With more than 20 years’ experience advising high-net-worth individuals and families, Marcus focuses on building, protecting, and transferring wealth across generations. Their expertise spans portfolio construction, risk management, and strategic investment advice, all underpinned by a commitment to disciplined decision-making throughout shifting market cycles. Marcus works in close partnership with clients to align capital with long-term objectives, carefully balancing growth, income, and capital preservation.
10:25
MORNING TEA
10:55
TOTAL INCOME | DEFENSE AND FRANKING
When inflation persists, how do you meet surging income demands while ensuring that you are adequately compensated for underlying risks?
This session unites Australian credit and equity income to discuss forward returns in a permanently higher rate regime. We examine navigating domestic debt markets to capture elevated yields without the illiquidity constraints of crowded private credit, while concurrently unpacking how sustainable, franked dividends deliver a powerful, tax-effective engine to meet client income needs.
SPEAKERS:
Andrew Hamilton, Head of Implementation, Antares
Phil Strano, Head of Australian Credit Research, Yarra Capital Management
Jason Petras, Director, Resonant Asset Management
SPEAKERS
Wealth Symposium 2026 | VIC Day 1
Andrew Hamilton
Head of Implementation
Antares
Phil Strano
Head of Australian Credit Research
Yarra Capital Management
Phil has over 20 years of experience in analysing financial markets and securities, along with a decade dedicated to managing portfolios. He is a leading figure in the Australian credit industry and possesses deep expertise across all major credit segments, including listed and unlisted securities, rated and unrated assets, as well as investment and sub-investment grade bonds, loans, and derivative instruments. Phil’s extensive knowledge and strategic approach enable him to navigate complex market environments and deliver strong outcomes for investors. He manages the Yarra Higher Income Strategy and the RMBS strategy and is the Deputy Portfolio Manager for Yarra’s Enhanced Income Fund and LBO strategy.
Jason Petras
Director
Resonant Asset Management
Jason holds over 20 years of experience in the financial industry working at some of Australia’s largest Institutional Fund Managers, Global Investment Banks and Hedge Funds as a Portfolio Manager, Consultant, Quantitative Developer and Risk Manager.
Jason has worked closely with investors, advisors, and investment committees to design and implement strategies for Private Wealth Groups, Family Offices, Financial Advisory Firms and Superannuation Funds. He managed $900 million in assets for BT Investment Management (now Pendal) in Australian Equities and Derivatives, Global Macro strategies, and built hedging overlays for Industry Super Funds. In Asia, Jason worked at multibillion-dollar Hedge Funds managing long short equity portfolios and hedging solutions. Prior to this he worked at Barclays Capital and Merrill Lynch in London.
Jason holds a Masters in Quantitative Finance from Bond University and a Bachelor in Electrical and Electronic Engineering from Flinders University.
12:05
THE CREDIT LENS | BALANCING LIQUIDITY, CAPITAL AND INCOME
When the market structurally changes, how do you rebalance your fixed income allocations to maintain liquidity, capital stability whilst maintaining income?
With financial markets facing significant structural shifts at a time when the search for income is only growing, this session explores how investors can balance the occasionally conflicting objectives of delivering predictable liquidity, capital preservation and high levels of income. We examine the features of the different tools available and explore how blending fixed income strategies can achieve robust outcomes for investors through an uncertain environment.
SPEAKER:
Pete Robinson, Managing Director, Senior Portfolio Manager, Barings Asset-Based Finance Australia, Barings
SPEAKERS
Wealth Symposium 2026 | VIC Day 1
Pete Robinson
Managing Director, Senior Portfolio Manager
Barings Asset-Based Finance Australia, Barings
Pete Robinson is a Managing Director and Senior Portfolio Manager within Barings’ Asset-Based Finance platform in Australia (formerly Gryphon Capital Investments) and a member of the Investment Committee. He works closely with the senior investment team to support portfolio management, investment strategy and the continued growth of the platform.
Prior to joining Barings in June 2026, Pete was the Head of Investment Strategy for Fixed Income at Challenger Investment Management, acting as lead portfolio manager for its multi-strategy credit funds.
Since 2005, Pete has been an active investor in public and private credit across Australia, the United States and Europe, with deep experience in asset-backed finance markets.
Pete is a regular media contributor, commenting on trends in credit markets, regulation and the broader economy. He holds a combined Bachelor of Commerce/Science degree from the University of New South Wales and is a CFA Charterholder.
13:00
LUNCH
14:00
THE VALUE EVOLUTION | NAVIGATING GLOBAL EQUITIES
How do advisers look after client capital while extracting alpha in a highly concentrated, expensive market?
This session unites three distinct approaches to capturing global alpha. We explore a patient, contrarian lens designed to unearth mispriced anomalies, alongside a rigorous, valuation driven approach to large cap equities. We contrast these fundamental philosophies with a disciplined, systematic framework that exploits data signals to eliminate behavioral bias.
A session on how human conviction and quantitative precision interpret today’s valuation dispersion to deliver sustainable, long-term returns.
SPEAKERS:
David Ganucheau, Senior Managing Director, Portfolio Manager | Analyst, Barrow Hanley Global Investors
Bruce Apted, Head of Portfolio Management, Asia Pacific, Systematic Equity Active, State Street Investment Management
Andrew Russell, Portfolio Manager, PM Capital
GUEST MODERATOR:
Jonathan Tolub, Partner | Portfolio Manager, Trellia Wealth Partners
SPEAKERS
Wealth Symposium 2026 | VIC Day 1
David Ganucheau
Senior Managing Director, Portfolio Manager | Analyst
Barrow Hanley Global Investors
With 30 years of experience, David joined Barrow Hanley in 2004 from Clover Partners, LP, where he served on the management team for several funds, including a financial sector fund. Prior to his tenure at Clover Partners, David served as securities analyst at GSB Investment Management, where he began his career in the investment management industry. David graduated from Southern Methodist University with a BBA in Accounting.
Bruce Apted
Head of Portfolio Management
Asia Pacific, Systematic Equity Active, State Street Investment Management
Bruce is also a Vice President and joined State Street Investment Management in September 2017 and has responsibilities across investment management and research. Bruce is a member of the Systematic Equity Active Senior Leadership Team (SLT).
Bruce has over 20 years’ experience in investment management with senior portfolio management roles at Macquarie Bank and Bankers Trust. His investment experience covers Australian and global equites, long and short equities as well as global macro strategies.
Bruce has a first class Honours degree in Economics/Econometrics from Monash University.
Andrew Russell
Portfolio Manager
PM Capital
Andrew is a portfolio manager within the PM Capital global equities team, with a particular focus on the materials and industrials sectors. Prior to joining PM Capital in November 2020, Andrew spent a decade at Macquarie Bank as a research analyst in North America and Australia where he covered a range of sectors, before moving to a prominent family office to manage a global equity portfolio.
Andrew holds a Bachelor of Agricultural Economics (Finance) from the University of Sydney.
15:20
AFTERNOON TEA
15:45
NAVIGATING THE TECH & AI REVOLUTION IN FINANCIAL SERVICES
In an era of rapid technological transformation, financial service practices must evolve or risk obsolescence. This session delivers a pragmatic blueprint for integrating AI and cutting-edge technologies, moving beyond theoretical discussion to real-world implementation.
Through practical insights and lived experiences, we’ll explore how strategic tech adoption can revolutionise communication, streamline reporting, and enhance compliance. Featuring a hands-on demonstration of implemented technology, attendees will gain actionable strategies to future-proof their practice and unlock unprecedented operational efficiency.
SPEAKERS:
Simon Betchley, Head of Institutional Consulting, Finura Group
Daniel Rickard, Chief Technology Officer, Verse Wealth
SPEAKERS
Wealth Symposium 2026 | VIC Day 1
Simon Betchley
Head of Institutional Consulting
Finura Group
Simon has over 18 years of experience in wealth management and technology. Simon is a highly experienced software executive, including six years as CEO of Worksorted.
Simon works with Finura on our software development, go-to-market strategy, and digital transformation programs for our clients.
Simon holds a Diploma of Financial Services, a Bachelor’s in Computer Science and Management, an MBA, and graduated with order of merit from the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Daniel Rickard
Chief Technology Officer
Verse Wealth
Dog Dad. Systems thinker. Relentlessly optimistic. Coffee. Raiders
Education
Certified Financial Planner (CFP®), Master of Financial Planning (M.FP), Bachelor of Biomedical Science (B.BMedSci)
Bio
I’m the Chief Technology Officer at Verse, focused on improving our systems, workflows and data so the team can deliver a better client experience. I care about technology that improves clarity, reduces friction, and helps the business scale without adding unnecessary weight.
With a background across both financial advice and technology, I’ve spent more than a decade working at the intersection of client experience, advice delivery and systems. That has included building digital client experiences, improving the workflows and systems behind the advice process, and applying AI in practical ways that genuinely strengthen the business.
Outside of work, I’m usually golfing, hiking with my fiancée Bel, coding, chasing a great coffee, supporting the Raiders, or settling into a TV show worth the time.
16.40
MAD MAX MEETS THE MATRIX | THE WEAPONISATION OF TECH AND TERRITORY
What was the point of the war in Iran? And how is AI rewriting global security?
Are we prepared for a world where both territory and technology are actively weaponised? We analyse the harsh realities of the Iran conflict, exploring exactly why it was triggered, the underlying strategic objectives, and its lasting implications for global stability. Alongside this kinetic warfare, we examine the rapid weaponisation of AI, detailing how this digital arms race is fundamentally dictating global supremacy.
SPEAKER:
Rebecca Shrimpton, Senior Advisor, The Asia Group
SPEAKERS
Wealth Symposium 2026 | VIC Day 1
Rebecca Shrimpton
Senior Advisor
The Asia Group
Rebecca (Bec) is tasked with expanding TAG’s industry-leading Australia practice to help global and Australian corporations develop business strategies to unlock opportunities and overcome market access challenges. Based in Melbourne, Bec brings deep expertise on defense, foreign relations, trade, and investment to support clients across Australia’s most dynamic sectors and the broader Indo-Pacific.
Bec is a recognized expert on terrorism, insurgency, cyber, space policy, missile defense, nuclear and strategic deterrence, and advanced dual-use technologies within national security. Prior to joining TAG, Bec served as Director of Defense Strategy and National Security at the Australian Strategic Policy Institute (ASPI), and convened the inaugural in-person Sydney Dialogue in 2023 – Australia’s premier policy summit focused on critical, emerging, cyber, and space technologies.
Bec brings over 25 years of government experience, including senior positions at the Australian Department of Defense, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and the Australian Trade and Investment Commission (Austrade). At Austrade Bec led Australian trade and investment engagements and priorities for the defence, space and infrastructure sectors globally. Bec served as Counsellor for Defense Strategic Policy at the Australian Embassy in Washington, D.C. from 2015 to 2017 and later as Senior Adviser for Major Powers to the Australian Foreign Minister from 2019 to 2020 where she provided high-level policy advice on Australia’s relationships with key partners, including the United States, China, Five Eyes nations, and on emerging technologies, cyber and space.
A distinguished alumna and Fellow of the Australian War College, Bec completed the 2013 Defense and Strategic Studies Course. She holds a Master of Strategic Studies with Honors from the Australian National University and a Master of Strategic Studies from Deakin University
