Certified Financial Planner, Accredited SMSF and Direct Equities Adviser

Chris holds the internationally recognised Certified Financial Planner™ or CFP® qualification and has completed a Diploma of Financial Planning. He holds two degrees from Newcastle University; one in economics and one in business, and also acts as a Justice of the Peace.

Chris started his career in financial planning with RetireInvest Newcastle in 2000, became a financial adviser in 2002 and was key in the establishment of the RI Maitland office in 2003.

Away from work, Chris spends as much time as possible with his wife and two sons (aged 13 and 10) going to the beach in summer and planning the next family theme park trip. As a Knights season ticket holder for many years, you might see him at games reminiscing about the glory days of the late 90s and early 2000s.

Outside of family, Chris is the Public Officer of an Incorporated Association formed to run the Jewells Tavern Beavers Cricket Club and is also the President and co-captain of the club which he formed in 2005. Chris has also played touch football with The Crocs at Wallsend since 1995, and every year (surely) comes closer to that first elusive grand final victory.

Ryan has worked in the financial services industry since 2007 with several well-respected firms and has gained valuable experience across a wide range of areas. Ryan was a member of the RI Lower Hunter team up until 2015 before moving on to broaden his horizons and build his own business. After merging with RI in 2020, Ryan is excited to grow a much larger business.

Ryan holds degrees in Finance and Law from Newcastle University and a Diploma and Advanced Diploma of Financial Services (Financial Planning). In addition to these formal qualifications, Ryan is committed to continually enhancing his knowledge in a fast-changing industry to ensure the very best outcomes for his clients.

Outside of work Ryan likes to spend as much time as he can with his family, whether it be playing handball or soccer with his two young sons or enjoying Newcastle’s many great café’s, restaurants, parks and beaches. Aside from family, Ryan’s other great passion is American Football where he is a long suffering fan of the Miami Dolphins.

Paul holds the internationally recognised Certified Financial Planner™ or CFP® qualification and has completed a Diploma of Financial Planning. He holds a commerce degree from Newcastle University. Paul also acts as a Justice of the Peace.

Paul has been in the finance industry for over 18 years, starting his career in accounting in 2002 and then changed to financial planning in 2007. Paul has worked for various companies enriching his financial planning career. Paul is passionate about helping people make the right financial decisions.

Away from work, Paul spends as much time as possible with his wife and daughter especially getting away in the caravan. Paul also enjoys 4wding and hopping on the motorbike.

Paul enjoys playing soccer and follows the Liverpool Football Club. He enjoys keeping fit by cycling, running and swimming.

Steve has worked in the financial services industry since 2005 and has been a practicing financial adviser since 2010.

After working with the RI Lower Hunter team initially for over 4 years Steve decided to go out and gain experience in the wider world of financial services. In that time, he gained valuable skills and knowledge that he brought back to RI Lower Hunter in 2015 to use in helping clients to achieve their financial and lifestyle goals.

As leader of a strong support team Steve manages and builds his business based principally on referrals from satisfied clients who want their friends and colleagues to enjoy the same level of professional service and courtesy they have received.

Steve holds a Diploma of Financial Services (Financial Planning), a Finance degree from Newcastle University and is an Accredited Aged Care Professional.

Away from work, Steve enjoys spending as much time as possible with his two young children. Outside of family, Steve plays cricket the Raworth Rabbitohs Cricket club and has recently retired (maybe) from Soccer after a long association with the Tenambit Sharks Football Club.

Olga has been working with us since 2014. With her experience and knowledge Olga assumes a lead role in the Client Relationship Team conducting regular training meetings as well ensuring that documents are being produced to a high standard across the office.

Olga also assists in the preparation and implementation of advice, management of client portfolios (contributions and withdrawals), and liaison with fund managers, Centrelink and other organisations.

Olga holds a Masters of Cultural Studies from Silesian University with a speciality in Cultural Communication as well as a Diploma of Financial Services (Financial Planning) with Kaplan. In her spare time Olga enjoys walking, watching movies and spending too much time in her favourite coffee shop. She is what you would call a "crazy dog lady".

Courtney is one of our Client Relationship Managers, involved in the preparation and implementation of advice, managing client portfolios, client meeting preparation and communication with fund managers and Centrelink. Courtney helps to ensure that paperwork and filing is complete, as well as ensuring client information is up to date.

Courtney loves being in customer focused roles, she is passionate about developing and maintaining client relationships and ensuring all clients leave with a smile. Courtney has ambition to complete further study into the future that will enable to grow and develop in the technical aspects of her role.

When Courtney is out of the office she spends most of her spare time with her family, friends and her dog. She loves to travel and see new places overseas and in Australia. She also enjoys all things food and wine and you will regularly find her in the vineyards, at a new restaurant or a tasting her way through a boutique winery.

Katie is heavily involved in communicating with fund managers, Centrelink and other professional advisers and may even be the face that greets you at our Maitland of Kotara office. She is involved in the preparation and implementation of advice, managing client portfolios, client meeting preparation and communication with fund managers and Centrelink.

Katie is currently completing an Arts degree, majoring in Japanese at the University of Newcastle.

In her spare time, Katie practices piano in Hamilton, plays weekend sports and goes on impromptu road trips with Amy & friends. She loves listening to podcasts and audiobooks of all sorts, reading about and travelling to different countries & cultures, and listening to many different genres of music.

Amy is heavily involved in communicating with fund managers, Centrelink and other professional advisers and may even be the face that greets you at our Maitland of Kotara office. She is involved in the preparation and implementation of advice, managing client portfolios, client meeting preparation and communication with fund managers and Centrelink.

Amy has an Arts degree, majoring in Linguistics from the University of Newcastle.

When Amy is out of the office, she spends most of her spare time studying and spoiling her two beagles. Before COVID Amy was an avid traveller however now she has picked up a new craft hobby of hand making soaps to fill in the time.

B Bus (Man)

Zari is the friendly face that will greet you on arrival at our office, as she fulfils the administrative assistant role. Zari is heavily involved in organising and scheduling appointments, as well as liaising communication between clients and the advisers. She completes pre and post meeting paperwork and ensures client information is up to date and is in charge of social media and client surveys for the office. 

Zari has completed a Bachelor of Business Management from the University of Queensland, with a double major in Business Economics and Human Resources. 

When Zari is out of the office, she spends most of her spare time chasing her Jack Russell out of the garden or reading a good book. Zari also enjoys exercising and loves exploring different walking tracks around the Newcastle area.

BMedRadSc (DR), DFS

Louise has a Bachelor of Medical Radiation Science and is a fully qualified Radiographer who decided to leave the industry after having children. After agreeing to do bits and pieces to help out in the office in 2010, Louise has completed her Diploma of Financial Services and is now employed as a Paraplanner, writing advice documents for our clients.

Louise is married to Chris and working closely together seems to work out fine because Chris knows who is in charge outside of office hours. In her spare time Louise loves reading, watching movies and cooking (and trying to expand the taste buds of her two boys – and her husband). Louise also enjoys sewing and is building an arsenal of photos of the family wearing matching clothes to embarrass her children in the future.

Qualifications: Wisdom gained from managing Gil for 19 years

Heather is the Client Services Manager and is responsible for managing our 6 and 12 monthly portfolio reporting cycles and our investment database. She also manages the business accounts, invoicing and payroll.

In her spare time Heather is a loyal supporter of any visiting British sporting team and enjoys travel, sailing, watching Formula One as well as spending time with family and friends.

Den is based in the Philippines and is involved in the preparation of files and the presentations for client review meetings. In addition to conducting research on financial products, Den also helps keep our databases up to date.

Den has completed a Bachelor of Science majoring in Information and Communications Technology at the University of San Carlos.

Outside of work hours Den enjoys watching true crime/psychological films on Netflix, reading books and expanding her culinary skills. During long weekends Den loves a trip to the beach, or a road/food trip with her friends or family.

Cay is based in the Philippines and is involved in the preparation of files and the presentations for client review meetings. In addition to conducting research on financial products, Cay also helps keep our databases up to date.

Cay has completed a Bachelor of Science majoring in Psychology at Saint Theresa’s College.

Outside of work hours Cay enjoys dancing, swimming and watching movies. Her dream holiday destination is the Maldives and she loves eating chocolate cake, pizza and burgers.