This year’s Gen Next Rising Star of the Year award finalists come from Queensland, Western Australia and the Northern Territory.
They are Shannon Victor of Oxlade Financial (Brisbane), Aden Wilkins CFP® of Capital Partners (Perth), and Aayush Sharma of Frost Financial Services (Darwin).
Shannon Victor
Shannon Victor’s first exposure to finance advice was in 2013 when she was working with Suncorp Wealth. “I was taking phone calls from advisers. I remember being really drawn to them, they were very personable and had a lot of technical knowledge.”
At the time, she wasn’t sure of her own career path but after being inspired by these advisers, she started her Diploma of Financial Planning and a finance degree. Unfortunately this degree was not recognised for financial planning so on completion she started her Masters Degree studying four subjects at once while working full time.
During her study she worked as a Business Development Manager for Zurich – rounding out her experience in super with insurance.
As soon as she had her Masters Degree, Shannon started her Professional Year at a local business but moved to Oxlade as soon as that was complete.
Shannon credits some good advisers for motivating her. “They could see I was built to do this and I don’t know if I would have kept going if it wasn’t for a couple of really good mentors that were pushing me to keep doing the study and telling me it would all be worth it,” she said.
Apart from the time involved, Shannon said there were also the costs to consider. There was the cost of education, which would present her with HELP debt for some time, and the move from a BDM role to an associate adviser effectively halved her income.
“I was fortunate enough to be in a financial position where I could afford to take that cut and I counted every dollar spent for that 18-month period. A lot of people can’t do that,” she said.
“Friends I know who are in the BDM space say they want to be advisers but can’t afford it.”
Her breadth of experience within financial services meant Shannon could help her new business with her experience in the platform space.
“I realised that we didn’t have a great low-cost solution for investors who weren’t at a balance that was suitable for our model portfolio, and I came in with SMAs and how efficient they can be for clients and how low cost they can be,” Shannon said.
“I basically met with all the BDMs from various platforms to make sure we were reviewing the right platform to execute the strategy, and we’ve actually updated our investment philosophy to include a couple of preferred manager SMAs that align with our overall philosophy.”
Her insurance background and understanding of how drawn out the underwriting process can be, saw her help build a workflow that has automated email touch points.
Recently, a local employer approached the business to present a financial literacy program to them. “We did seven webinars and that brought a few clients, but one lady came to me. Aged 77 she was still working full time, despite having significant health events, as her rent was what the age pension would be.”
Given the small amount of super the client had, Shannon was able to help her at no cost to set her up to aim for 10 years of good quality life left for her. “It’s been a really awesome experience to be able to help someone like that. She’ll be able to retire at the end of this year.”
Shannon is active with the FAAA Inspire Committee and fundraising, and also has three pro bono clients.
“I really do love our community and the way we can help improve the broader community,” she said.
Aden Wilkins CFP®
Like many graduates, Aden came out of his degree without firm direction for a career. However, while working as a junior footy coach he had the opportunity to speak to many of the kids’ parents, and he asked them if there were any opportunities out there for him.
One of the dads was a financial planner from a practice that specialised in advising doctors. It was an entry level role in client services, but after working in the role, Aden figured out he could see himself pursuing this as a career.
“I could see how I was learning practical skills, the way we were helping clients, and how that applied to everyday life for both myself and clients,” Aden said.
“There’s obviously the strategic thinking side where you’re problem solving – helping to build out a long-term plan, helping people work through complex issues – but there’s also the people side.
“I definitely couldn’t see myself stuck behind a desk, just working through numbers all day, so I really liked that people balance.”
After three months on the job, Aden enrolled for the Masters of Financial Planning. “I could actually see what I was learning in textbooks and in context, how that was applied.”
Aden remained at the practice for two years before being approached by Capital Partners. “Initially I didn’t think I was ready for the role so I held off,” he said.
Aden eventually moved across in 2020 while he was starting his Professional Year.
Aden has been very active in the advice community, trying to help young advisers make connections. He created an Associate Year Group then a Professional Year equivalent in Perth with local firms taking turns hosting. Every few months Capital Partners holds an event with subject matter experts and opportunities for networking.
Sessions have been focused on building the softer skills, technical sessions, and even a few open panels where experienced advisers are there for a fireside chat about their careers.
In the practice, Aden now leads a team as well as working with other advisers and being involved in training a lot of the up-and-coming associates and graduates.
Those attending range from those just out of university to PY Candidates and some who have just finished their PY and are moving into adviser roles.
“That’s been really useful when making connections and chatting to others at different firms.”
Aden is also involved with Curtin University, talking to students there and also to year 10 and 11 students on visits to schools.
This year’s congress will be providing a number of designated areas for students to gather and meet, to ease them into the industry.
Aden is also co-host of The Purposeful Investor podcast.
Aayush Sharma
Aayush didn’t start out in Darwin, and he didn’t start his degree to become a financial adviser.
Aayush came to Sydney from the Punjab in India to study a Bachelor of Accounting. “I didn’t even know about financial planning when I landed in Australia. I was doing my Bachelor of Accounting and had to choose a specialisation.
“Financial planning actually chose me,” Aayush said.
“My cousin, who was studying actuarial sciences suggested I take financial planning as a specialisation, so it started from there.”
After completing his degree at the University of Sydney, Aayush started working at a boutique practice in Western Sydney which was a turning point for him.
“What you read in books is nothing compared to when you see it in practise,” Aayush said.
Aayush says the biggest thing he sees is the stress relief after clients receive their advice and it is implemented. “You can feel the shift in the room,” he said.
Aayush moved to Darwin in 2020, and it took him nearly two years to find a role.
Darwin boasts a younger population. Most of Aayush’s clients are business owners, SMSF trustees, government employees, and people working in the mines.
“I believe everyone should have access to financial planning and everyone should know what it’s about,” Aayush said.
“The biggest stigma we face [as financial planners] is that financial planning is only for people who are wealthy.”
Aayush has worked to educate more people about advice by not only attending networking events with high net wealth people but attracting people through LinkedIn to attend his finance-focused webinars.
He has also delivered presentations at local high schools and women’s clubs, and mentors students through Charles Darwin University.
In a recent LinkedIn post he explained why he continues to mentor.
“It took me almost seven years to get where I am today. If I’d had the right guidance early on, it could’ve taken four.
“Mentoring isn’t just about giving advice. It’s not about lectures or free coffee. It’s about donating time to upskill someone else – and in doing so, you also upskill yourself.
“It’s about helping the version of you that once sat on the other side of that conversation.”
Aayush said attending his first FAAA Congress in 2023 was a game changer for him.
“The first thing I learned is that all the people in this profession are way more helpful compared to any other profession I have ever seen,” he said.
“Seeing almost 1000 financial advisers who are helping each other, allowing you to ask any questions of them, opened up a lot of opportunities but the biggest shift for me was that my mindset changed.”
Aayush is also on the FAAA Emerging Professionals Committee.
The winner of the 2025 FAAA Next Gen Rising Star Award will be announced at the FAAA Congress Gala Dinner on Wednesday November 19.
Find out more and view the finalists of the other FAAA Award categories. These are:
- FAAA CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER of the Year
- FAAA Adviser of the Year – sponsored by Zurich
- FAAA Professional Practice of the Year
- Inspire Women – Excellence in Advice – sponsored by TAL
- FAAA University Student of the Year – sponsored by Unisuper
