Board of Directors

Mr Darren Steinhardt FAIM M App Fin
Founder and Group Chairman

Darren is the founder of the Infocus Group.  Originally from Brisbane, Darren has an extensive background of over 20 years’ experience in the financial services industry, commencing his career in 1989.  It was Darren’s vision of ‘being financially fit’ that became the genesis of Infocus.  Together with his wife Stephanie, Darren founded the business on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast in 2001.

Darren, a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Management, has undertaken studies in finance, law and economics and holds a Master’s Degree in Applied Finance.

Mr Barrie Adams PSM, FCPA
Director

Barrie was appointed as non-executive Director in the 2009 financial year and also held Chairman position until 2012. He has held directorships in Collection House Limited, Ingeus Limited, Steel Foundations Limited, NuPlant Limited and the Financial Basics Foundation.  He is currently chairman of four compliance committees.  He is also a chairman of Sunshine Coast Destination Limited and Eumundi Combined Community Organisation Limited.

Barrie is a certified practicing accountant with 38 years‟ experience, including 14 years with the Shell Group of companies in Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne.  He was the Queensland Regional Commissioner of ASIC since its establishment in 1991 up until 2000, responsible within Queensland for corporate and securities regulation.

In recognition for his work with ASIC, Barrie was awarded the Public Service Medal in 2000.

Mr Jim Currigan CFP Dip FP
Director

Since commencing his career in 1969, Jim has established a highly distinguished career in the financial services industry.  Having co-founded Paragon Securities in May 1999, Jim’s relationship with Infocus began when this successful financial planning business joined the Infocus Group in 2004.

Jim was invited to become a director of the Company in 2005.  His knowledge and experience in the financial planning industry and being a practising financial planner has strengthened the group’s knowledge base. Jim holds post graduate qualifications in financial planning, is a Certified Financial Planner and a practitioner member of the Financial Planning Association of Australia.  

Mr Rod Bristow BSc (For) GCM MSAA GAICD
Director

Rod has 18 years’ experience in the financial services, consulting and agribusiness fields, including over 8 years’ experience as a Director of public and private enterprises.   

Rod holds a BSc (Forestry) from the Australian National University and a Graduate Certificate in Management from the AGSM.  Rod is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, a Master Stockbroker member of the Stockbrokers Association of Australia and a Responsible Executive of the Australian Securities Exchange.  

Responsibility of the Board

The Board is responsible for guiding and monitoring the Company on behalf of the shareholders to whom they are accountable. The Company’s constitution details the composition of the Board and provides that it should comprise not less than three but not more than five Directors.  

The Board meets formally at least six times per year and as frequently as may otherwise be required to deal with urgent matters.  The chairman is responsible for providing effective leadership in relation to all aspects of the business of the Board, chair the Board and shareholder meetings, review the contribution of Board members and review and mentor other Directors.  The Deputy Chairman of the Company is also the chairman of the Audit and Risk committee.

The responsibility for the operations and administration of the Company is delegated by the Board to the Chief Executive.  The Chief Executive is primarily responsible to the Board for the affairs of the Company.  However, the Chief Executive works in collaboration with the other executives to develop and implement corporate and strategic initiatives and otherwise carry out the day to day management of the Company.

In accordance with certain conditions in the Board Charter, Directors are entitled to seek independent, legal or other professional advice at the Company’s expense in any matter connected with the discharge of their responsibilities.

Whilst at all times the Board retains full responsibility for guiding and monitoring the Company in discharging its stewardship, it may establish subcommittees and other specialist committees which are able to focus on particular responsibilities and provide informal feedback to the Board.

The Board has established the following committees:

• Audit and Risk committee;
• Remuneration committee; and
• Research and Investment committee.

Leadership Team

The Infocus Group depends upon the talent and experience of its Personnel, and particularly its Leadership team, as its primary asset.  The ability of the Infocus Group to engage and retain talented and experienced Personnel will be fundamental to the Infocus Group achieving its business objectives.

Mr Rod Bristow BSc (For) GCM MSAA GAICD
Chief Executive

Rod has 18 years’ experience in the financial services, consulting and agribusiness fields, including the last 5 years as a C-level executive.

Prior to his current role with Infocus, Rod was National and Queensland CEO of Australia’s largest environmental NGO, Greening Australia.  From 2006 to 2009, Rod was Chief Operating Officer of online broker CommSec, where he lead a national team responsible for all of CommSec’s trading and investment activities. In addition, Rod acted as Responsible Manager for CommSec and served on the board of a number of CBA company subsidiaries. In 2007, he led the group-wide team which acquired an ASX-listed stockbroker. He created a new wholesale division of CommSec and integrated the acquired business into this division during 2008, including synergies realisation and divesting non-core assets post-sale. Rod also led the team which negotiated a contract for the supply of broking and investment services with another of the ‘Big Four Banks’ in 2008.

Prior to CommSec, Rod managed CBA’s retail and wholesale agribusiness (forestry) managed investments, including as a Responsible Executive and Key Person on the Australian Financial Services Licence of CBA subsidiary Premium Alternative Investments Limited.  Rod holds a BSc (Forestry) from the Australian National University and a Graduate Certificate in Management from the AGSM. Rod is also a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, a Master Stockbroker member of the Stockbrokers Association of Australia and a Responsible Executive of the Australian Securities Exchange.  

Ms Lyn Dixon CFP AACI GAICD
Head of Professional Standards

Lyn has 20 years experience in risk management and corporate governance in respect to Australian Financial Services Licensees. Lyn’s experience includes reviewing and implementing business processes to deliver appropriate advice tools, such as advice software, research and templates. Lyn also has experience in the provision of financial advice, particularly developing advice processes and tools to complement and deliver a licensee’s service proposition.

In addition to leading the Compliance and Professional Standards Team, Lyn’s role will include evaluating and managing compliance risks within financial planning practices for the ISA advice channels and developing and maintaining support tools, systems, policies and guidelines for financial planners.    

Lyn is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, an Accredited Associate of the Australasian Compliance Institute, a member and Accredited CPD Assessor of the Financial Planning Association and a member of the SMSF Professionals Association of Australia.  

Mr Simon Richards

Head of Finance and Administration

Simon has 15 years’ experience in accounting, administration and human resources.  He joined Infocus in 2008 as Company Accountant and was instrumental in the implementation of a new group accounting system.  Simon is now Head of

Finance and Administration with responsibilities including group finance, human resources and head office administration functions.

Prior to his current role, Simon worked with Accounting North as a business consultant, assisting companies with accounting, internal controls and business reporting.  He also worked for the company’s software division, implementing SME accounting software in a diverse range of companies throughout Queensland and New South Wales.  

Other roles he has held include financial controller of a scaffolding and crane hire business, finance manager at the University of the Sunshine Coast Student Union, and a short term role at the 2001 Goodwill Games.

Simon is a strong contributor to the surf lifesaving movement, holding positions such as President, Secretary, Treasurer and administrator of his local lifesaving club, including the licensed club. 

Ms Jo Willoughby
Head of Marketing

A newcomer to the financial services industry, Jo is a dynamic marketing and business development leader experienced at growing revenue and improving business performance.

Jo has more than 16 years’ experience spanning marketing, product management, business development, business operations and sales force optimisation; developed across a diverse industry set, working with some of Australia’s leading brands.

Motivated by the ability to make a difference, Jo has built a reputation for being a change agent; having successfully turned her hand to a broad range of strategic and operational challenges requiring turnaround to deliver results.

Analytical and instinctive, Jo is a natural communicator, connector and coach.

Jo’s role is responsible for invigorating the marketing function across the Infocus network.   

Jo holds a Bachelor of Business (USQ) and executive education awards from the Australian Graduate School of Management and Melbourne Business School.