Angus Uwland, Chaise Murray and James Elsworthy have won AMP’s University Challenge for 2023.
The team, from Deakin University in Melbourne, beat over 70 students to claim the top prize and plaudits from the judges.
Now in its 13th year, AMP’s University Challenge is an annual financial planning competition for university students across the country.
It aims to identify promising new talent and promote high standards of education and professionalism among the next generation of advisers.
More than 6000 students from 21 universities across Australia have participated in the Challenge since it first began in 2011, with many going on to join the financial advice profession.
The AMP University Challenge is integrated into the curriculum and assessment for students studying financial planning majors at participating tertiary institutions like Central Queensland University, Deakin University, Griffith University, TAFE NSW and University of Wollongong.
Finalists were tested on their technical knowledge, undertook a mock advice interview with two clients and delivered an eight minute presentation on how to significantly grow the number of financial advisers in Australia by 2026.
The finals were also a chance for the students to speak with senior advice professionals and financial planning academics and get advice on their studies and career opportunities.
Up to $10,000 prize money was on offer with the winning team taking home $5,000 plus a complimentary ticket to AMP’s national conference, Advice Live hosted in Adelaide in February 2024.
AMP’s head of technical and professional services, John Perri, one of the judges in this year’s event, welcomed the opportunity to hear from Australia’s best and brightest minds and said the University Challenge provided an important pathway for new entrants into the advice profession.
The final placings for this year’s event, judged by a panel of financial services experts, were:
1st place: Angus Uwland, Chaise Murray, James Elsworthy (Group 9) from Deakin University
2nd place: Benjamin Robertson from RMIT
3rd place: Hugh Menzies, Dean Boatman and Brad Edwards (Group 10) from Deakin University
Brimming with confidence
AMP was also pleased to be involved in Striver’s inaugural Brimstone event, held on Tuesday 19 September last month.
Designed to explore career opportunities within the financial advice profession, Brimstone helped bring together current university students and graduates from across Australia as well as those seeking a career change into financial planning.
AMP Group Executive, Advice, Matt Lawler said:
“I’d like to congratulate all the finalists at AMP’s University Challenge for 2023, together with our winning team of Angus Uwland, Chaise Murray and James Elsworthy from Deakin University.
At AMP, we’re passionate about helping nurture and empower the next generation of advisers as a core pillar in helping continue to instil confidence in the professionalism of financial advice.
“We hope events like our University Challenge together with our involvement in Brimstone can serve as a launching pad for more students and their promising careers in advice.
“The team at AMP Advice continues to work hard to strengthen our relationships with our tertiary partners, helping provide scholarships to the next generation of students and aspiring financial planning professionals.
“We welcome the opportunity to play our part in helping guide the next cohort of talented advisers and help create new pathways for careers in this outstanding profession.”
FAAA General Manager Policy, Advocacy and Standards, Phil Anderson said:
“We’re pleased to be involved in the judging of AMP’s University Challenge for 2023 which provides an excellent platform for highlighting and celebrating the outstanding students coming through the education system, who are the future of our profession.
“Awards like this shine a spotlight on the fantastic profession that financial advice is and we hope initiatives like this will help attract more young Australians into the profession over the coming years.”
AMP Head of Technical and Professional Services, John Perri said:
“We’re really excited to be hosting the next generation of talent, providing a fantastic opportunity for students to establish meaningful connections and network with AMP business leaders and experienced financial advisers.
“I’ve been astounded by the sheer quality, passion and detail in this year’s submissions and the presentations by the finalists were all very solid.
“If this is what the future of financial planning looks like, then we have much to look forward to in the years to come.”
