The IFS Advice Conference 2025 is exclusively tailored for financial advice teams within the superannuation sector, offering a unique chance to address complex issues and gain insights from peers and industry experts.
Join us at this event, where we bring together the industry to share insights, tackle challenges, and celebrate success. This year’s theme, Stronger Together, highlights the power of collaboration in reshaping advice—exploring new retirement products, hybrid advice models, and scalable solutions for super funds. Be part of the movement driving the future of superannuation advice.
Conference Speakers
Author and commentator on pre-retirement, and creator of the ‘Epic Retirement’ program. She also contributes regularly to several columns, sharing her insights on a rewarding retirement.
Bec Wilson
Epic Retirement, Founder and Principle
Sam joined Hostplus in 2008 as CIO after a storied career in academia and the finance industry that stretches back to the early 1990s. During that time, he has held a number of senior roles, both locally and internationally.
Sam Sicilia
Hostplus, Chief Investment Officer (CIO)
Suzanne is accountable for CareSuper’s investment performance, the execution of the investment strategy and the management of CareSuper’s active and sophisticated investment portfolio. In her role, she leads the development and direction of the Investment team and the investment capabilities that serve CareSuper’s members.
Suzanne Branton
CareSuper, Chief Investment Officer (CIO)
Currently, Alex engages with IFM’s domestic and global clients on macro-investment trends and themes. He is also a frequent commentator on economic and markets via traditional and social media and regularly speaks at public forums and conferences.
Alex Joiner
IFM Investors, Executive Director and Chief Economist
As a psychologist, Natalie’s passion lies in early identification and intervention in mental health. After witnessing the decline in mental health among professionals, she transitioned into corporate wellness to develop Connect Psych—an innovative solution designed to support employees, leaders, and teams.
Dr Natalie Flatt
SuperFriend, Psychologist and Chief Mental Health Advisor
As an industry spokesperson and policy advocate, Mary joined ASFA in 2024 after founding Seven Advisory, a specialist ESG and impact advisory service. Prior to that Mary was Head of Impact at HESTA where she played a key role in shaping strategic policies and responsible investment practices.
Mary Delahunty
Association of Superannuation Funds of Australia (ASFA), Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
The financial advice and education teams and their leaders of industry super funds.
Conference Sponsors
Platinum
Gold
Bronze
Event Program
8:00am
Registration & Networking
9:00 - 9:10am
Conference Opening
Adrian Gervasoni, Executive Manager Advice Services (IFS)
9:10 - 10:00am
Session 1: Delivering an ‘Epic Retirement’
As financial advisers know all too well, retirement is more than just income streams and life tables for a member. But how do we bring increased empathy and member engagement to the retirement advice we provide? In this session, we will hear from one of Australia’s leaders in whole-of-life retirement planning, Bec Wilson. As a bestselling author of How to Have an Epic Retirement and creator of pre-retirement education programs run by businesses and superannuation funds, Bec brings a wealth of knowledge and experience on how to make retirement truly fulfilling.
Speaker: Bec Wilson (Epic Retirement)
10:00 - 10:50am
Session 2: Advice Best Practice Model Presentation
What is best practice when it comes to superannuation fund delivery of financial advice? It involves an obsession with the end-to-end process that drives increasingly better consumer outcomes while enhancing operational efficiency. This session will showcase the IFS best practice advice model and highlight several client funds excelling in different parts of the advice process, whether it's triage, advice production, or client engagement.
Moderators: Jessica Stanley (IFS) and Patrick O'Keefe (IFS)
10:50 - 11:20am
Morning tea
11:25am - 12:15pm
Session 3: Retirement Product Positioning
With the retirement income covenant and an ageing population driving increased retirement product innovation, the question must be asked: how does the advice provided by advisers and their funds need to change to support these products? This session draws from research recently published by Challenger and IFS, focusing on the design and positioning of retirement propositions for different cohorts, and how advice can support, rather than compete with these emerging offerings.
Speaker: Craig Sankey (IFS)
12:15 - 1:30pm
Lunch
1:30 - 2:20pm
Session 4: The Future of Advice: AI-Driven Innovations
While no one disagrees with the notion that technology will disrupt the financial advice industry, there is often more sizzle than substance when it comes to practical examples. In this session, we will explore a selection of emerging solutions and seek audience engagement to determine how these solutions can support superannuation fund advice delivery in the near term. Moderators: Jeremy Gorniak (IFS) and Karlo Klasan (IFS)
2:20 - 3:10pm
Session 5: CIO Discussion
IFS CEO David Issa will lead a panel discussion with distinguished industry experts, delving into their work and the delicate balance they maintain between managing volatility and achieving consistent net returns. This session will provide advisers with the opportunity to pose questions on behalf of the members they serve, recognising that market volatility can significantly affect a member's confidence as they approach and navigate retirement.
Moderator: David Issa (IFS) Panel: Sam Sicilia (Hostplus), Suzanne Branton (CareSuper) and Alex Joiner (IFM)
3:10 - 3:40pm
Afternoon tea
3:40 - 3:50pm
Announcement of lucky draw winners
3:50 - 4:40pm
Session 6: Attributes of a High Performer
Why is it some people seem to thrive under pressure, even invite it, whilst others suffer with burn out and fatigue? Psychologist Dr Natalie Flatt will draw from her many years of patient care and advising business leaders to share with us her tools and tips to achieve peak performance in a sustainable way. Speaker: Dr Natalie Flatt (SuperFriend)
4:40 - 4:55pm
Conference Morning Session Close
5:00 - 6:30pm
Pre-dinner Drinks & Networking
6:40 - 6:45pm
Dinner Session Opening
Keynote presentation from Mary Delahunty, CEO of ASFA
6:40pm onward
IFS Advice Excellence Awards
We will be recognising the outstanding achievements of both individuals and teams, judged by an independent panel. There are eight categories that span different roles and consider both quantitative and qualitative measures, ensuring that great service and aligned values are appropriately acknowledged and celebrated.
Hosts: Brian Knight (Kaplan) and Craig Sankey (IFS)
10:00pm
Conference Close
Highlights from Last Year
Want to find out more about the Conference, become a sponsor or simply speak to us about the organised sessions, reach out today!
