Congratulations to Marc Whitworth of Macquarie Bank who was awarded the Gwen Fletcher Memorial Award for the 2025 summer semester by the FAAA, joining 25 others in the Hall of Fame.
Marc is a private banker at Macquarie Bank based in Melbourne. He holds a Bachelor of Commerce with a major in Financial Planning and Finance from Deakin University.
Named after the late ‘First Lady of Financial Planning’, the Gwen Fletcher Award recognises the highest performing student in the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® Certification Unit (CFP C) for each semester, with demonstrable dedication to providing high-quality financial advice.
The CFP® designation is the largest and best-recognised financial planning designation globally, with more than 223,700 CFP professionals worldwide.
The Gwen Fletcher award is a monetary award of $1,000 plus complimentary Congress registration and media opportunities both within the FAAA and externally.
One winner is announced each semester, with two or three semesters a year, if there is a summer semester.
Joining Marc in successfully completing the CFP certification in the 2025 summer semester were: Alex Porter, David Cooper, Rex Wang, James Middleton, Jeremy Zenwirth, Karissa Penna, Luke Dean, Manpreet Banga, Mitch Buckley, Nick Churkovic, Paul Johnston, Priscilla Osei-Ntim and Samuel Gall.
Anne Palmer, FAAA’s general manager – education, highlighted Marc’s achievement as well as acknowledging the efforts of the people that completed CFP certification in the same semester.
“Those who take part in the CFP® Certification Program put in a significant amount of work and a lot of effort, so it has been a consistent challenge to select a recipient of the award each semester.
“Marc demonstrated strong dedication and commitment to his studies, all while maintaining consistent high standards with his client work. On behalf of the FAAA, I congratulate him on reaching the highest level of qualification in financial planning.
“The CFP Certification Program is an integral part of the FAAA’s efforts to support technical excellence in financial planning and equip planners with the skills and confidence needed to provide the best quality financial advice to Australians. As a result, we are seeing more members taking part in the course, seeking to upskill, which is ultimately a good thing for the financial planning profession as a whole,” Anne says.
Previous winners of the Gwen Fletcher Memorial Award are Craig Roberts, Nathan Purnell, Andrew Dickinson, Kristine Pham, Jessica Dean, Andrew Mabarrack, Brigitta Hembrow-Gersey, Maria Danica Lozada, Susan Buda, Phillip Turvey, Renato Manias, Jacob McCudden, Allen Ozdil, Nicole Dwyer, Raquel Netto, John Dacker, Erica Cummins, Michael Forer, Bronwyn Abraham, Cameron Obliubek, Claire McGregor, Sunitha Williams (nee Chamala), John Moran, Amy Early and Erin Coyle (nee Shields).
Click here for more information on the CFP Certification Program.
Gwen Fletcher AM
1919-2014
