Financial Decisions’ Advisory Board comprises Russell Collins, Gary Henry, Gerald Groom, Linda McDonald and Craig Tegel, who collectively have extensive business experience and bring a wealth of knowledge to our company.
One of the most successful methods to gain insights into our business and our strategic direction is to hold formal meetings with a small group of our largest clients, with the purpose of seeking their advice and feedback. These meetings can add real value as they deliver opportunities to hear what we are doing well and where we need to improve – from the most important people we serve, our clients.
The Advisory Board meets three times a year with senior management and is a powerful management resource engaged to explore new strategic initiatives. As existing clients, the Advisory Board members have a genuine understanding of our business and assist in enhancing and growing our services to ultimately benefit all clients.
Biographies of the Advisory Board
Russell Collins FAFA Dip LI
Russell commenced his career as a financial services adviser in 1971, a position he maintained until his retirement in June 2010. In 1998, Russell was joined by his son, Matthew, as part of his succession plan with Matthew taking over their financial planning practice in January 2007. In July 2009, Matthew merged with Financial Decisions.
In 2004, Russell set up a sales training business, Risk Insurance Communication Skills, which he continues to operate, working with some of the major institutions in the financial services industry.
Gary Henry BSc MSc MAIB
Gary was employed as a marine biologist with the Fisheries Research Institute for more than 30 years. He was educated at the University of NSW where he obtained his degrees in fisheries science. Gary spent several years on research vessels conducting deepwater fisheries research in NSW oceanic waters as well as conducting surveys on national and state fish stocks.
A plethora of advisory bodies have been established due to the community interest in the exploitation of fisheries research. Throughout his career, Gary was a member of many of these fisheries advisory bodies. He has acted as chairman, secretary, scientific adviser and member of national and state advisory boards. Gary retired in his early 50s to pursue his interest in travel, sailing, surfing, swimming, the bush and Australian wildlife.
Gerald Groom M Comm Banking
Gerald spent 40 years at IBM in senior client relationship positions including sales, marketing, branch management, customer service management and services development. He has a strong banking and insurance industry background and has enjoyed a progressive career culminating in executive management including leading and developing sales and technical teams to achieve their personal and career goals.
Gerald was educated at Macquarie University where he completed a Masters in Commercial Banking. He was previously a director of the IBM Compensation Board and Chairman of IBM Client Executive Certification Board and World Youth International. Gerald retired from IBM in September 2007 and since that time has been a business and life coach.
Linda McDonald BSc AFAIM FAITD
Linda has been consulting to medium to large businesses in executive coaching, leadership development and team development for 15 years. Throughout her corporate career, she held senior management roles in Human Resources and Human Resource & Organisation Development with The Smith’s Snackfood Company, National Printing Industry Training Council, CSC, NSW Department of Health and Dylex Limited (Toronto, Canada). She was born and raised in Winnipeg, Manitoba and attained her Bachelor of Science at the University of Manitoba.
She is a member of the Board of Directors of Ku-ring-gai Financial Services Limited, which owns two community bank branches of Bendigo Bank. She is the Vice Captain of North Shore Rowing Club, president of a community group in her suburb of Lindfield and is an accredited Financial Counsellor and business and life coach.
Craig Tegel Mktg Diploma
Craig is a Marketing and Sales professional with 30 years of experience leading regional operations for multinational companies in the IT industry. Craig was the President of Adobe Systems for Japan and Asia Pacific and during his 17 years with the company, he lived and worked in China, USA, London and Japan.
With a management career that has spanned strategic planning, mergers and acquisition integration, crisis management and executive-level leadership, Craig knows first-hand the challenges and rewards that leadership brings. He is now sharing that experience with other leaders through his company, People Make the Difference. This consulting business is based on the premise that people and leadership make the difference to the success of any business or organisation, and the impact it can have on society.
Craig has served on a number of company and association boards in Australia and overseas. He has a strong connection with Financial Decisions that has developed over the past 12 years.