Coffs Harbour

"The dynamics of the financial services industry really appeal to me. Helping the mums & dads of Australia achieve their goals & objectives whilst supporting them through the complexities of ever changing legislation is very rewarding."

Ben, originally from the Tweed Coast in northern NSW studied at the University of New England in Armidale and moved to Coffs Harbour for his role as a Financial Planner with Invest Blue.

Ben is responsible for the day-to-day running of the Coffs Harbour/Grafton team ensuring clients receive a high standard of advice and overseeing internal training and development of staff.

Ben loves spending time with his wife and three daughters and has recently completed the Future2 Wheel Classic from Melbourne to Adelaide - helping raise funds for kids in need.  He is passionate about all sports, in particular rugby. One day Ben would like to complete the New York Marathon.

Areas of specialisation

• Wealth creation strategies
• Debt and cash-flow management strategies
• Risk insurance strategies
• Retirement planning strategies
• Self-Managed Superannuation Funds

Qualifications

• Certified Financial Planner (CFP)
• Bachelor of Commerce
• Bachelor of Law
• Advanced Diploma of Financial Services (Financial Planning)
• Diploma of Financial Services (Financial Planning)
• Self-managed Superannuation Funds Accreditation
• Certificate IV in Mortgage Broking
• Justice of the Peace Commissioned for Declarations Department of Justice NSW
• Most Trusted Adviser designation; Beddoes Institute

Memberships

• Financial Planning Association of Australia
• Finance Brokers Association of Australia

Hear from Ben's clients:

A blissful retirement

Putting the pieces back together after a workplace injury

Deeds please

"The greatest satisfaction is helping clients to make smart decisions by breaking down the financial jargon and providing strategic advice that’s easy to understand."

Tom’s a born and bred local who joined Invest Blue in 2015 after completing his Advanced Diploma in Financial Planning. Although originally from the fitness industry, Tom has always held an interest in financial markets. Together with his experience helping clients reach their fitness goals, Tom is now able to make your financial goals a reality.

In his spare time Tom enjoys travelling with his wife Jodi, keeping active with their two little sausage dogs and cheering on the Sydney Swans!

Areas of specialisation

• Wealth creation strategies
• Debt and cash-flow management strategies
• Risk insurance strategies
• Retirement planning strategies

Qualifications

• Diploma of Financial Services (Financial Planning)
• Advanced Diploma Financial Services (Financial Planning)
• JP

"Working with individuals and couples to understand their financial dreams throughout their lives and set goals to achieve these is extremely rewarding."

Prior to joining Invest Blue in August 2017, Gretel had been working within the corporate sector for 12 years. She started with a large project management company in Sydney, before returning to Coffs Harbour to work with smaller regional solicitors and accounting firms. Gretel completed her Diploma of Financial Planning in 2015 and her Graduate Diploma in Financial Planning in 2021.

In Gretel's spare time she loves to be with her husband Nathan and her 4 young children. She loves running and being outside enjoying the beautiful beaches. Gretel loves to cook and be with her family and friends. She was also keen Pilates instructor for 9 years.

Gretel assisted with the Ronald McDonald House Ride for Sick Kids for 7 years in which she organises the ride in Northern NSW to raise money to keep families together with seriously injured or sick children and she is also a blood donor.

Areas of Specialisation:

• Wealth creation strategies
• Debt and cash-flow management strategies
• Risk insurance strategies
• Retirement planning strategies

Qualifications/Professional Accreditations:

• Diploma in Financial Planning
• Grad Diploma in Financial Planning
• Cert IV in Pilates and Fitness

Hear from Gretel:

• Financial Basics & Feeling Empowered with Your Money - The Real Her Project Podcast
• It's Bigger and Better for the Coffs Coast Team
• Ask an Adviser - Navigating Love and Money
• Ask an Adviser - Closing the Gap from Women & Finance

"As Financial Planners, we are in the privileged position of making a difference to people’s lives. Providing the necessary guidance that impacts someone’s life for the better, is extremely satisfying.”

Nick grew up in Wagga Wagga NSW, before spending time in Sydney and settling with his family on the Coffs Coast. Nick joined the Invest Blue team in April of 2020 bringing with him extensive experience in the financial services industry.

Nick has completed his CFP studies and has the Certified Financial Planner CFP® designation, holds a Bachelor of Business (Accounting) degree, Diploma of Financial Planning, Certificate IV in Mortgage Broking and is a Justice of the Peace. He is also a member of the Financial Planning Association of Australia (FPA).

Nick is an avid sports supporter and enjoys all sports, especially rugby union, league, AFL, cycling and cricket. Outside of work he enjoys the outdoors, reading and relaxing with his family.

Areas of specialisation

• Wealth creation strategies
• Superannuation accumulation
• Retirement Planning
• Social Security (Age Pension)
• Personal Insurance
• Business Insurance
• Aged Care
• Budgeting and cashflow management

Qualifications

• Certified Financial Planner CFP®
• Bachelor of Business (Accounting)
• Diploma of Financial Planning
• Certificate IV in Mortgage Broking
• Justice of the Peace

Memberships and Associations

• Financial Planning Association of Australia

“I am looking forward to joining Invest Blue, a team and business that is passionate about its clients and their dreams and goals, as I am also passionate about helping clients achieve their goals.”

Michael joined Invest Blue in 2021 as a Financial Adviser. Before joining Invest Blue, Michael has been in the finance industry since age 17 (two weeks after finishing HSC!). He has worked at a leading bank for 16 years in several roles, from Bank Teller to Branch Manager to a Financial Planner. More recently, feeling like he needed a change, Michael joined a smaller family-run financial planning firm on the Coffs Coast, and he has loved it.

Michael has two children, 20 and 16 (who just got his L’s), loves all sports and still plays competitive soccer and social squash once a week. He also loves walks on the beach with his partner and dog, as well as eating out.

Qualifications and Professional Accreditations

• Diploma of Financial Planning

Brayden has completed a Diploma in Financial Planning and is currently studying a Bachelor of Commerce (Financial Planning) at UNE. He has been working in the financial planning industry for 3-years, starting with an accounting firm in Armidale and working as a Relationship Manager with Invest Blue for 12-months before commencing an Associate role in the Coffs Harbour office.

Brayden enjoys working in the financial planning industry as it allows him to assist people in making wise financial decisions and play a role in securing their financial future.

Brayden recently moved to the Coffs Harbour region, and in his spare time, he loves going to the beach with his partner, Jess and three kids. Brayden also enjoys running in the morning and playing soccer on the weekend.

Qualifications and Professional Accreditations

• Diploma of Financial Planning

“I love helping people and seeing them smile. I also enjoy meeting people and enjoy working with our diverse mix of clients at Invest Blue.”

Simone joined Invest Blue in January 2020 as a Relationship Manager in the Coffs Office, after having worked for Moore Stephens for four-and-a-half years as an Administration Assistant.

Simone was born in Coffs Harbour. She is a third-generation farmer of the region in beef cattle, and on her family farm, they have also started grafting avocado trees three years ago. Simone is a busy lady, as aside from working for Invest Blue and farming, she has three children, Jorja, Tayla and Aidan, with her partner of 20 years Adam.

In her spare time, she enjoys the outdoors, camping, bushwalking, horse riding, and spending time with her cherished family and friends.

I love being part of a business that contributes to bettering the financial well-being of the people within our community.

Josie joined Invest Blue in 2021 after completing her Business Administration degree.

Growing up in Niangala inland NSW, she loves being part of a community and helping people within those communities live their best possible life.

In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with friends and going to the beach.

Qualifications

• Business Administration

Born and raised on the Coffs coast, Lee grew up in Woolgoolga and moved to the Gold Coast in Queensland where he and his wife lived for over 7 years.  Moving back to Coffs Harbour, Lee loves to help his clients with all their lending needs.  Originally from the motor industry, Lee made the decision to move from sales and account management over to the finance industry having developed a love of lending.  He draws from his personal experiences (from purchasing homes for his family as well as lending requirements from his previous role) to deliver an exceptional customer experience.  Lee is a true professional who prides himself on ensuring his clients are well taken care of now and into the future.

In his time off, Lee enjoys camping and caravanning with his wife and two young daughters.

Areas of specialisation

• Business and Commercial Finance
• Home Loans
• Investment Loans
• Personal Loans
• Asset Finance
• Self-Managed Super Fund Lending

Qualifications and Professional Accreditations

• Certificate IV in Finance and Mortgage Broking

Memberships

• The Finance Brokers Association of Australia (FBAA)
• Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA)