Managing Director / Financial Advisor
Authorised Representative number 000252870 of Count Financial Limited
As a Managing Director and Financial Advisor at Hunter Financial, I have the pleasure of working with a wonderful team of people who serve a diverse and valued group of clients. I am a Commerce Graduate from the University of Newcastle and I was also employed by PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) in Business Services. I transitioned into Financial Planning and started Hunter Financial in 2004 with the view of providing holistic strategic advice to individuals and families.
Phil specialises in:
- Values and Goals based financial planning
- Superannuation and Retirement Planning
- Self-Managed Superannuation funds
- Wealth Creation and Investing
- Personal insurances
- Estate Planning
- Investment Gearing Strategies
- Collaboration with other professionals such as accountants and lawyers
Philip T Smith
Financial Advisor
Authorised Representative number 001234876 of Count Financial Limited
Andrew joined the team in November 2022. Andrew completed a Bachelor of Commerce majoring in Finance in 2013 and has been in the financial services industry ever since, working in both financial planning and general insurance broking. Andrew is passionate about working with clients to see them achieve their financial goals and objectives and the real impact this can have on their lives.
Outside of work Andrew enjoys spending time with his wife and young son, Thomas. Andrew regularly plays golf on the weekend and enjoys going for runs and getting some exercise.
Andrew Larkin
Financial Advisor
Authorised Representative number 001271696 of Count Financial Limited
David joined our team as a Financial Advisor in January 2020. Following a long term career in financial planning in both Advisory and Management roles with one of the ‘Big Four’ Banks. He is now very much enjoying being part of a team dedicated solely to the financial wellbeing of their amazing clients.
David holds a Bachelor of Economics from Newcastle University and Diploma of Financial Planning.
Outside of work David enjoys swimming at our local ocean baths, spending time at the beach and cycling. Having raised three children to adulthood, he is now looking forward to spending more time with his wife and hopefully more time travelling.
David Murphy
Advice Associate
With over three years in the industry, Kerrod has started his professional year to become a Financial Planner. Kerrod has a wealth of knowledge and expertise to share with his clients with a passion for helping others achieve their financial goals. Kerrod’s approach to financial planning is centered around building strong, long-lasting relationships with his clients. He takes the time to understand each person’s unique financial situation, needs, and goals, and crafts personalised plans that help them achieve financial success.
In his current role, Kerrod works with individuals, families, and small business owners to create and implement strategies for saving, investing, and growing their wealth. He is skilled in a wide range of financial areas, including budgeting, retirement planning, tax planning, and risk management. Kerrod holds a degree in Economics and is a currently completing his Graduate Diploma of Financial Planning. He is dedicated to helping his clients lead financially secure and fulfilling lives.
When he’s not working, Kerrod enjoys spending time with his wife and two daughters, travelling, and staying active through outdoor activities.
Kerrod Holland
Advice Associate
Shane joined the Hunter Financial team in November 2019 bringing over two years experience in the industry. Shane previously worked in Trade Processing and Client/Advisor Services.
Shane completed a Bachelor of Commerce, majoring in Finance in early 2017.
Outside of work, Shane enjoys spending quality time with his family, friends and his partner Mia. He plays soccer for Killarney District Soccer Club and often plays tennis after work. Most weekends, you will see him surfing the beaches on the Central Coast.
Shane O’Brien
General Manager
Natalie joined Hunter Financial Planning in June 2015, after previously working in the banking industry for two years.
Natalie has completed a Bachelor of Business and Masters in Business Administration.
Outside of work, Natalie is an enthusiastic runner who enjoys taking advantage of the scenic running trails Newcastle has to offer.
Natalie Sullivan
Operations and Business Support Team Leader
Taylor joined the Hunter Financial Planning team in February 2015 in the position of Trainee Paraplanner.
Taylor has since removed the ‘Trainee’ from her title and is now our Operations and Business Support Team Leader. Taylor has completed her Diploma and Advanced Diploma of Financial Planning.
Outside of work Taylor enjoys spending time with her Husband Max and their two dogs Florence and Camilla. Before and after work you will find her outdoors in the garden, local national parks or mountain bike riding.
Taylor Phillips
Financial Advice Team Leader
Carly joined the Hunter Financial team in March 2019. Carly has worked in the financial planning industry since 2016. Carly started out as a Junior Paraplanner and has since become our Financial Advice Team Leader. Carly completed her Diploma of Financial Planning in 2019.
Carly has worked in a range of roles before working in the financial planning industry and lived and worked in Sydney in a large stockbroking firm as an Executive Assistant to the Managing Director. Before joining Hunter Financial, she lived overseas in Canada for 2 years on a working holiday to travel and have different experiences.
Carly’s goal whilst working for Hunter Financial is to continue to build our advice team and processes to be more efficient and effective to service our clients.
Outside of work she likes to spend quality time with her husband Aaron and her labradoodle Winnie, by going on camping adventures and exploring new places.
Carly Hancock
Office Coordinator
Codie joined the Hunter Financial team in February 2022 as Office Coordinator after previously working with a local mortgage broker for 4 years, in the role of Operations Manager. During this time Codie completed a Diploma in Leadership and Management, received Support Person of the Year Runner up 2020 and Support Person of the Year Winner 2021.
Before working in mortgage broking Codie worked and trained as a professional dancer and during this time lived in NYC to train at Joffrey Ballet. Codie also worked in Bollywood films in Fiji and India, allowing her to see lots of the world throughout her early 20’s.
Outside of work Codie enjoys going to the gym, to the beach and being outside in nature. Codie loves to cook and have friends or family over for dinner.
Codie Dintino
Quality Assurance Coordinator
Elise first joined the team at Hunter Financial in November 2011, after previously working in the hospitality industry for over 5 years. During the past 6 years, she has taken periods of maternity leave and now has 4 Son’s that occupy most of her time. She is very excited to be back as a part of the Hunter Financial team and looks forward to learning new things in her role.
Outside of work, Elise enjoys spending time with her husband and boys. Her ‘me’ time involves taking dance classes and spending time with her extended family and friends.
Elise Sellick
Trainee Business Support Administration
Jade joined the Hunter Financial Team in October of 2023 as a Trainee Business Support Administrator.
Jade is currently working through her Certificate III in Business, she is hoping to further her knowledge in business and human rights throughout 2024.
Outside of work Jade enjoys spending quality time with her friends and family, going to the beach, attending live music festivals, and exploring restaurants throughout the Newcastle area.
Jade House
Business Support Administration
Nathaniel became interested in financial planning after his own experience in budgeting and investing for the future, as it has helped him achieve some financial goals that he didn’t believe were possible. Nathaniel developed a passion for financial planning, and decided that he wanted to assist other people with their savings and investment goals as he believes financial literacy and planning for the future is an essential part of the world we live in. Nathaniel likes to spend time gardening, travelling, cooking, hanging out with his friends and family, and playing with his stumpy tail red cattle dog, Rain.
Nathaniel Heinrich
Receptionist
Robyn has been competing in surf boat rowing for 6 years and is currently at Cooks Hill Surf Club after moving to Newcastle from the Northern Beaches in Sydney. Robyn loves the beach, being outdoors and generally keeping busy.
Robyn has just completed her second year of a Bachelor of Business and will graduate at the end of 2023.
Robyn Husband
Accounts Coordinator
Sarah joined the Hunter Financial team in December 2020 after spending 6 years in Hotel Management roles.
Sarah is originally from Sydney. She moved to Newcastle with her partner Garry where they have since built their first home. She enjoys spending quality time with her family, friends and most weekends are spent adventuring outdoors with her two dogs Riggs and Rain.
Sarah Laughlin
People and Culture Coordinator
Tahnee joined the Hunter Financial team in March 2021 in the position of Advisor Support. Tahnee has since moved into a Human Resources role and is now our People and Culture Coordinator.
Tahnee has completed a Diploma of Financial Planning, a Bachelor of Business (Finance/Management), a Graduate Certificate in Human Resource Management and several administrative certificates.
Outside of work, Tahnee enjoys catching up with friends, spending time with her American Bulldog, and travelling back to her hometown Tamworth to see her family.
Tahnee Walker
Financial Advice Support
Annabelle joined the Hunter Financial team in July 2022. Annabelle has worked in various roles within the Fashion Industry after completing a Bachelor of Business.
Originally from Jindabyne, Annabelle enjoys skiing, snowboarding, hiking and spending weekends camping with her partner Travis and Chocolate Lab Roy.
Annabelle Nicholl
Financial Advice Support
Dylan joined the team in September 2023. Dylan has completed a Graduate Diploma of Financial Planning through Swinburne University and has the hope of returning to study in the future to complete a Master of Financial Planning.
Outside of work Dylan enjoys embarking on adventures with his wife Cathryn, and his two young daughters, Hannah & Isla. When Dylan is not spending time with his family, he enjoys reading true crime books and going freediving in the warmer months.
Dylan Haigh
Financial Advice Support
Jake commenced his financial planning career in 2022 in Northern New South Wales with the aim to be a Financial Advisor. Jake joined the Hunter Financial team in 2023.
Jake is currently completing a Bachelor of Business majoring in Finance through the University of New England, and then intends to complete further study through Kaplan before commencing his professional year.
Outside of work, Jake enjoys spending time with his family and playing golf with his mates.
Jake Ellis
Financial Advice Support
Janine joined the Hunter Financial team in 2023 in the position of Financial Advice Support.
Janine has worked in the Financial Planning industry since 2005 and prior to this worked in banking. Janine completed a Diploma of Financial Planning in 2015.
Outside of work Janine enjoys spending quality time with her family, going to the gym, going out to lunch/dinner and taking her French Bulldog Pierre on walks around the harbour.
Janine Whipper
Financial Advice Support
Lachlan joined the Hunter Financial team in 2022 in the position of Financial Advice Support. Lachlan’s long-term goal is to explore a career in financial planning and complete his Masters through Kaplan Business School, which he is currently undertaking.
Lachlan moved to Newcastle from Tamworth for further study, and successfully completed a Bachelor of Commerce majoring in Economics in 2023. On the weekends Lachlan enjoys coaching junior Rugby Union for the Wanderers U12’s, surfing and baking sourdough bread.
Lachlan Kermode
Financial Advice Support
Lisa joined the Hunter Financial team in 2023 in the position of Financial Advice Support.
Lisa has worked within the Financial Planning industry since 2016, primarily as a Client Services Manager. However, Lisa has combined banking/finance/customer service experience totalling 25 years.
Lisa moved from Leeton in the Riverina to Port Stephens in 2019 and now lives in Lemon Tree Passage with her husband, Rick. Lisa enjoys travelling to spend time with her blended family of 6 children and 8 grandchildren and likes to spend weekends travelling in her caravan, riding her motorbike, fishing, swimming and eating out.
Lisa Carn
Financial Advice Support
Natalie joined the team at Hunter Financial in 2023 and is currently working part time in the Advice Support team.
Natalie has completed a Bachelor Commerce and Advanced Diploma in Financial Planning and has worked in a range of roles throughout various Financial Planning organisations.
Outside of work Natalie loves being a busy mum to Alex (5) and Isla (3). Natalie recently convinced her husband to purchase an 115 year old house in Tighes Hill and is enjoying working with architects and builders to see her vision come to life.
Natalie Summers
Financial Advice Support
William joined the Hunter Financial team in 2023 in the position of Financial Advice Support. Alongside Paraplanning, William also brings experience within stockbroking. William’s aim is to be a Financial Advisor and is working towards this professional goal.
William graduated from the University of Newcastle in 2021 with a Bachelor of Commerce with a double major in Finance and Economics. William has since completed his Graduate Diploma of Financial Planning with Kaplan Professional which he graduated from at the start of 2023.
When William is not at his desk, he loves going surfing with his friends or going spearfishing and diving on his boat. William spends half his weekends travelling up and down the coast with his friends, boat in tow trying to find big fish. Most other time spent at home is spent with his dog and girlfriend at the beach.
William Smith