Ignition Advice appoints new chair
Ignition Advice has appointed Sally Loane (pictured) as its new chair, effective from 5 June 2023.
Loane is an experienced chair, non-executive director, and business leader. Between 2014 and 2021, she was chief executive officer of the Financial Services Council, the peak industry organisation for financial services, members of which include global and domestic fund managers, retail superannuation funds, advice licensees and life insurers (see full bio below).
Loane succeeds Peter Meurer OAM, the firm’s inaugural chair who is stepping down from the role after serving eight years. She will work with Meurer and the board during the transition period.
Meurer said he is delighted to welcome Loane as his successor.
“Sally brings proven leadership, including as a chair, and a wealth of industry expertise to the Ignition board from her many years leading a financial services organisation, together with deep knowledge of media and corporate affairs.
“Her experience in policy development and advocacy, specifically in the wealth sector and with a wide range of stakeholders, will be particularly valuable to our business.
“The Ignition team will benefit from Sally’s broad experience over this significant next phase of global growth for the company,” he said.
Ignition co-founder and board director Mark Fordree paid tribute to Mr Meurer and said he has been an integral part of Ignition’s growth over the past few years.
‘Under Peter’s stewardship, Ignition has partnered with a number of leading global financial firms, piloted three capital raises and has been recognised through several global industry awards.
“I thank Peter for his dedication and leadership and wish him all the very best in his future endeavours.
“As we enter the next phase of our growth, we look forward to drawing on Sally’s significant board and industry experience and her aspiration to fulfil our growth ambitions in enabling large financial institutions to dramatically scale their advice propositions to close the advice gap and make advice accessible to all,” Fordree said.
Loane said, “I am looking forward to working with the Ignition board, executive and people at this pivotal time for the digital transformation of the advice industry globally.
“I am a long-time advocate for all Australians to be financially literate and financially independent, particularly women, who retire with less superannuation than men, and who are still subject to a gender pay gap. Simplified regulation and innovation through digital tools, while maintaining important consumer safeguards, will be crucial to improving affordability and access to financial advice.
“There has never been a more important time for the government and industry to support the transformation of advice provision,” she said.
