Dunsford Financial Planning joins Synchron

A previously self-licensed financial planning practice has joined privately owned dealer group Synchron following its acquisition by AZ Next Generation Advisory earlier this month.

In a statement, Synchron confirmed Dunsford Financial Planning, headed by prominent anti-life insurance framework advocate Mark Dunsford, was the latest authorised representative to join the dealer group.

Synchron director Don Trapnell said the group was pleased to welcome a new recruit that understood the value and importance of risk advice.

“Synchron is very passionate about financial advice, particularly risk-related financial advice, and we are therefore very pleased to welcome Mark, who is also a passionate advice advocate, and the Dunsford Financial Planning team to the Synchron family,” Trapnell said.

The Victorian practice was previously a part-owner of the self-licensed Now Financial Group, which it had left in order to join Synchron.

Earlier this month, Dunsford Financial Planning was acquired by AZ Next Generation Advisory, the practice acquisition model established by ex-ANZ executive Paul Barrett and backed by Italian asset manager Azimut Group.

At the time, Barrett said the firm was a “fast-growing practice with a bright future that we are very excited to assist with”.

Synchron said that following the addition of Dunsford Financial Planning, the dealer group now had 450 authorised representatives, making it the second largest in Australia by risk new business and the seventh largest by adviser headcount.