Certified Financial Planner, Accredited SMSF and Direct Equities Adviser

Chris began his career in financial planning with RetireInvest Newcastle in 2000 before becoming a financial adviser in 2002. He was key in the establishment of the RI Maitland office in 2003 and became a founding shareholder of the company in 2005.

Chris holds the internationally recognised Certified Financial Planner™ CFP® qualification. He also has a Diploma of Financial Planning, an Economics degree and a Business degree from the University of Newcastle and acts as a Justice of the Peace.

Chris manages and builds the 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.

In his spare time, you’ll find Chris with his wife and two sons either at the beach or 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 gaining valuable experience across a wide range of advice areas. After initially working with RI Lower Hunter, Ryan started his own financial advice business in 2015, this was subsequently merged with RI Lower Hunter in 2020. 

Ryan holds a Diploma and Advanced Diploma of Financial Services (Financial Planning).  He also has a Finance degree and a Law degree from the University of Newcastle.  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.

Ryan manages and builds the 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.

In his spare time, 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 has been in the finance industry for over 20 years, having practiced as an accountant before moving into financial planning in 2007. Paul is passionate about helping people make the right financial decisions now and for their future.

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

Paul manages and builds the 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.

In his spare time you will find Paul, his wife and daughter travelling in their caravan.  Paul also enjoys 4wding, riding his motorbike, playing soccer, supporting his favourite team, the Liverpool Football Club and 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.

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

Steve manages and builds the 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.

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.

Prior to joining the practice in early 2022, Kate has spent over 20 years in the financial services industry, having previously held senior corporate and General Manager positions.   She is responsible for the day to day running of the practice. 

Kate holds a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Newcastle.  

Kate has spent time travelling and living abroad and has fond memories of selling kilts at the Edinburgh Woollen Mill in Scotland.  In her spare time, you will find Kate with her daughter & husband, swimming, at the beach, hiking and renovating their home.  Kate also loves to attend early morning exercise bootcamps (this hobby is not shared with her daughter & husband!!).

Since joining the practice in 2014 Olga has progressed into a lead role across our Client Services Team and more recently added payroll to her repertoire.  

Olga is responsible for ensuring the workflow operations are maintained across her team, supporting the financial advisers in the delivery of quality advice and services and conducting regular team training sessions.  She also assists in the preparation and implementation of advice, management of client portfolios (contributions and withdrawals), and liaises with fund managers, Centrelink and other organisations.

Olga holds a Diploma of Financial Services (Financial Planning) with Kaplan and a Masters of Cultural Studies from Silesian University in Poland, specialising in Cultural Communication.

In her spare time Olga enjoys walking, watching movies and spending time with her dog Buddy. She also has an earring "addiction", and her collection continues to grow.

Courtney originally joined our team in 2018 and after a short hiatus, she has returned in January 2025. Courtney has a key role within our Client Services Team, including working with our team in Cebu.

Courtney is responsible for ensuring the workflow operations are maintained, supporting the financial advisers in the delivery of quality advice and services and conducting regular team training sessions. She also assists with and is responsible for the preparation and implementation of advice across the business.

Courtney is passionate about developing and maintaining client relationships and ensuring all clients leave with a smile. Courtney has ambition to complete further study that will enable her to grow and develop in the technical aspects of her role.

In her spare time, you will find Courtney with her partner and her dog Arthur exploring the Mid North Coast, baking up a sweet treat or reading a good book.

Krystle joined RINLH in July 2023, having come from a background in hospitality, working for an iconic hatted restaurant group in the Hunter Valley as a sommelier, barista and floor manager. Kyrstle calls the Maitland region home, where she lives with her husband and two children.

Krystle is passionate about providing an exceptional, personable experience to clients, and is committed to maintaining a sense of community. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her young family, and discovering new music and films. She will be more than happy to discuss good food and wine and will always have a recommendation ready!

Leah joined RINLH in April 2024 to further pursue her passion of assisting people and to learn more in depth about client services. She has completed certificates in accounting and bookkeeping as well as business administration. Coming from a background in disability support, Leah has a very calming nature and is happy to help however she can.

Leah moved to Newcastle from Taree on the mid north coast in early 2023, in her spare time she enjoys having a coffee and reading a good book.

BMedRadSc (DR), DFS

Louise has a Bachelor of Medical Radiation Science and is a fully qualified Radiographer who decided after having her two sons, to leave the medical industry. 

After agreeing to do bits and pieces to help out in the office in 2010, Louise completed her Diploma of Financial Services and now supports our Financial Advisers in the production of 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 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 20 years

Heather has been with the business for many years and is responsible for managing our monthly portfolio reporting cycles and our investment database. She also manages the business accounts and invoicing.

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 Cebu in the Philippines and is involved in the preparation of files and presentations for our client review meetings. Den conducts research on financial products and helps maintain our database to keep it up to date.

Den holds a Bachelor of Science majoring in Information and Communications Technology from the University of San Carlos.

In her spare time, 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 Cebu in the Philippines and is involved in the preparation of files and presentations for our client review meetings. Cay conducts research on financial products and helps maintain our database to keep it up to date.

Cay holds a Bachelor of Science majoring in Psychology from Saint Theresa’s College.

In her spare time, Cay enjoys dancing, swimming and watching movies. Her dream holiday destination is the Maldives and she loves eating chocolate cake, pizza and burgers.

Hazel is based in Cagayan de Oro in the Philippines and is involved in the preparation of files and presentations for our client review meetings. Hazel conducts research on financial products and helps maintain our database to keep it up to date.

Hazel holds a Bachelor of Science in Information Technology from the University of Science and Technology of Southern Philippines.

In her spare time, Hazel enjoys collecting Korean pop merch, reading romance novels, cooking for her family. On weekends, Hazel plays badminton and having weekend getaways with friends.