2018 AFA Practice of the Year.
The Wealth Designers - Australia’s leading boutique financial advisory group.

CFP SSA, B.Bus, DFP

You might see articles by Troy MacMillan regularly in the finance section of The West Australian, or see him speaking to some of the country’s most influential people. Since founding TWD, the company has been awarded Australia’s Best Advice Practice – and named a winner in WA for the Telstra Small Business Award.

His ethos is built upon lessons learned from years spent living and working in Japan, where he adopted the philosophy of “kaizen,” which translates to “continuous and never-ending improvement.” Troy is also a member of the Board of Directors for Nulsen Disability Services. His vision is to deliver greater financial certainty to more Australians.

“I’ve always been a goal-setter. I think that’s why I love hearing people’s stories and then helping them achieve their ambitions.”

Graeme began his career in financial services in 1973 and brings a wealth of experience; working with financial services practices, dealer groups and institutions; to TWD.

He was appointed State Manager of Western Australia of Legal & General of Coopers & Lybrand in 1994. Later, working for Colonial when it was acquired by Commonwealth Bank in June 2000, he was appointed Head of Sales, Third Party Distribution. In 2003 he became a partner at Encore Group, a business management consulting firm – later moving to Opex as Head of Practice Consulting.

Graeme was appointed General Manager of The Wealth Designers in early 2017, and continues to work closely with a number of leading financial practices as their Chairman and/or a member of their Board of Advice.

CA, B.Comm, DFS SSA

Principal Wealth Adviser Stephen Kostarelas has 14 years of wealth management consulting experience including experience as a Chartered Accountant. He consistently cuts through financial complexity to deliver certainty leadership, clarity and direction.

Having previous experience in boutique firms and one of the Big 4 accounting firms, he developed his tax and accounting knowledge and specialised in working with large family groups advising on complex tax and accounting matters.

Stephen has worked with a multinational Australian Listed Company with a turnover in excess of $10 Billion per year. There he was the Corporate Financial Controller managing nearly $500 Million in turnover/$50 Million profit per year. He has also held various other leadership roles in businesses with turnover up to $1 Billion.

With a detailed understanding of all superannuation and investment matters in Australia and overseas, Stephen specialises in Self-Managed Superannuation Funds and Family Trust Structures.

CFP B.Comm DFS SSA

Incredible work ethic and client care earned Cara the role of Director before her 30th birthday. She joined TWD after working for a large national firm and finding she didn’t like the ‘corporate approach.’ Meeting Troy, she remembers, “I loved how different his approach was and pretty much made him hire me – even though he wasn’t recruiting at the time.”

With so much to see and do in WA, Cara loves the Perth lifestyle. Having a decidedly functional home means she has more time outside of office hours for going on long walks in nature, camping with her dog and partner, and enjoying theatre shows with a red wine or craft beer.

Embodying TWD’s ethos on giving back, Cara has a charitable heart, one time creating an event which raised $17,000 for the Starlight Children’s Foundation. Recalling it now, she says, “I woke up the next morning buzzing, feeling so proud and pumped to do it again.”

Cara has a Bachelor of Commerce (Finance & Economics), a Diploma of Financial Planning, is a Certified Financial Planner (CFP®) and an accredited Self-Managed Super Fund Specialist Adviser.

Michelle joined TWD more than decade ago, moving to Perth to pursue a career changing the world of financial advice.

She believes that there is no greater satisfaction than being able to make life easier, happier and less stressful for a client (or fellow member of the TWD team), allowing them to focus on what’s important.

“Knowing that our clients, and the people I work with, trust me to be there for them and to deliver a high level of service is truly gratifying.”

B.Comm, Adv DFS (FP)

David has been in financial advice since the turn of the century. Having worked in various sectors of the finance industry he discovered that not every firm has an offering which best aligns with what clients need.  The belief in the “value of advice” brought him to TWD, where he says “empowering others around their money gives me a great buzz.”

A family man with young children, he places honesty and dependability as high on his list of core values, with the motto, “Life is short be genuine.” You can also rely on him for a top-shelf craft beer recommendation. Those within the TWD family know him not just for his skill and care with clients, but also his ability to dispense useless trivia about obscure bands and albums.

B.Comm, DFS

Growing up in Hong Kong, Matthew had an inherent interest in accounting roles before entering the advisory and investment sector. Never one to shy away from responsibility, he also spent two years caring for children with Down Syndrome before moving to Australia.

After spending 5 years at another firm in Perth, he transitioned to TWD to focus on client-centric investment and strategic planning advice. As a TWD Wealth Adviser he’s at home occupying this important role in people’s lives. Outside the office, you’ll find Matthew in the great outdoors with his wife and three kids…. or cheering on his beloved Manchester United.

Laura is a Chartered Accountant with a Bachelor of Commerce degree (Financial Accounting, Business Law minor) and Graduate Certificate in Arts (Cultural Studies). A love of travel inspired her to broaden her education by studying interstate at the University of Western Australia and Melbourne University as well as internationally at the University of California, Santa Barbara.

She has worked closely with high net worth individuals, private foundations, not-for-profit entities and Native Title Trusts providing wealth management, investment advisory, accounting and tax services in a multi-family office. Laura enjoys building trusted relationships with clients and gaining an understanding of their values and priorities so she can provide a high level of service that meets their needs.

B.Econ, LLB

Andree joined TWD in 2015, bringing with her a wealth of expertise in the area of capital markets contract legal.

Taylor joined the TWD team in late 2017 as a Wealth Assistant whilst completing the final year of his bachelor degree at Curtin University with a double major in Economics & Finance. Nearing the completion of his studies, Taylor transitioned to the TWD Invest team as an Investment Administration Assistant. Taylor prides himself on providing our clients with the best client experience possible and has a true interest in helping others.

When not in the office, you will find Taylor playing football or supporting the Fremantle Dockers

As Head of Investments at TWD, Abby Macnish is responsible for providing portfolio investment solutions for advisers and clients across all products and client segments.

Abby’s ongoing advice, monitoring and performance attribution analysis provides a strong basis for our clients’ portfolio management.

Abby has over 13 years of experience in wealth management and strategic investment management.

Prior to joining TWD, Abby was Portfolio Manager, Chief Investment Office at ANZ. She previously worked in Investment Strategy for UBS Wealth Management Australia (UBS Australia). In this role she was responsible for delivering Tactical Asset Allocation changes, Model Portfolios, Direct Equity Offerings and meeting with clients and prospects to deliver proposed investment solutions.

Throughout her career, Abby has been regularly involved in media work, including interviews for Sky Business, AFR, Smart Investor, The Australian and Sydney Morning Herald, delivering market and economic views and insights, in both television and print.

Suzanne believes that good communication, care, attention and acting with presence are key to delivering outstanding results in her role as a Wealth Assistant at TWD. Undoubtedly a good listener, she proves ever reliable in helping financial planning clients with even the most technical or detailed enquiry.

Suzanne holds a Diploma in Secretarial Studies, a qualification which set her up for various administrative roles across her 30 experienced years within the financial services industry.

Suzanne lists learning to fly as one of her biggest accomplishments, earning her pilot’s licence in 1994. Her family’s connection with Jandakot airport means that flying is something that many of her relatives take part in, including her mum.

“Flying an aircraft yourself and being up in the clouds is always a ‘pinch myself’ moment for me,” she says.

With a kind and positive attitude, when she’s not in the TWD office you’ll find Suzanne baking up a storm in the kitchen, making sweet treats for family, friends and work colleagues or enjoying the roar of V8 Supercars.

Merlea Investments

An external member of our Investment Committee is Director and Financial Adviser of Merlea Investments, Brian Nash. Providing investment and financial planning advice since 1985, he holds a Diploma of Financial Advising and is an Affiliate Member of the Financial Services Institute of Australasia.

Brian has been the leading force behind Merlea Investments’ unique research software for analysing all economic data. This research has led to proven results of low risk and volatility with very worthwhile investment returns to clients.

As a member of our Investment Committee, Brian provides unique information and data techniques. His up-to-date knowledge from websites, newspapers, journals, market briefing sessions and seminars proves invaluable to the decision making process.

Our receptionist and resident Dockers fan, Cindy has been an integral part of the TWD team for over five years. Joining us and rejoining the workforce after the sad passing of her husband, she mentioned that being a part of the family has played a big role in the healing process. While she’s a proud mother, if she was born in another century Cindy reckons she would have been an awesome midfielder.

Bringing 10 years of experience to her role at TWD, Karen demonstrates her attention to detail on a daily basis. Now a member of the TWD team for over three years, she has proven to be an ideal fit to work with Graeme Hyland as his personal assistant.

Throughout her working life, Karen has become an asset to her employers through positions in database management, administration and bookkeeping. She has phenomenal multitasking abilities, perhaps honed in her earlier career as a chef, or through juggling the needs of two growing children.

When out of the office, you might find her refining the perfect spaghetti bolognese recipe, or with the family on Rottnest, bike riding, swimming, or enjoying a book with a pint at the pub.

An independent member of the Investment Committee, Bruce is the Principal of WP Invest, a boutique asset consultant located in Perth. He has over 40 years’ experience in the investment and capital markets, working in Sydney, Melbourne and Perth, covering areas including direct trading in equities, fixed interest and money markets.

Since 2003 Bruce has been advising the boards of industry and corporate superannuation funds, including APRA regulated funds, a number of financial advisers. He established WP Invest in 2004 to accommodate the investment consulting business operating within Western Pacific Financial Group.

Bruce has extensive experience advising on larger private investment portfolios regarding asset allocation and asset selection for diversified multi-sector and single sector investment portfolios.

Bruce holds a Bachelor of Business, MESAA (Practitioner Member of Stockbrokers and Financial Advisers Association Limited), and was a stockbroker for many years. He remains a member of the association and is a Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.