Meet the panel

Brian Parker

Investment Strategist, MLC Investment Management

Brian joined MLC Investment Management as an Investment Strategist in February 2006. He is part of the capital markets research team and is responsible for communicating MLC’s Multi-Manager Investment process to the market.

Brian makes economic and investment issues understandable, and takes a frank approach to communicating the realities of the market. He has become a regular presenter to superfund trustees, financial advisers and their clients around Australia, and has also addressed audiences in Asia, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Dubai, France, and the UK. Brian also regularly appears on Sky News Business Television talking about the events of the day.

Prior to joining MLC, Brian worked in a series of economics and portfolio management roles with Citigroup, JP Morgan, and Rothschild. He started his financial markets career as a senior analyst in the International Department of the Reserve Bank of Australia. He has an honours degree in economics from the University of Queensland, where he also taught economics, and is a Chartered Financial Analyst.

Michelle Heinrich

Head of Investment Communications, MLC Investment Management

Michelle heads up the Investment Communications team within MLC Investment Management. She has responsibility for:

  • Providing support to MLC Retail and Advice Solutions (Distribution) business units on investment related issues
  • Responsibility for supporting the MLC UK business
  • Packaging investment content for Retail investors, advisers, research houses and asset consultants
  • Providing training and presentations on general and MLC specific investment topics to advisers, investors, the media and other sources.

Michelle holds a Bachelor of Economics with a double major in Economics and Finance from the University of New South Wales, and a Graduate Diploma in Applied Finance and Investments from the Securities Institute of Australia.

She has worked in the investment industry for over 13 years, and has been with MLC Investment Management since 1998. Prior to joining the Investment Management Division of MLC, Michelle held roles in Mergers & Acquisitions, Investment Research and Client Servicing.

Andrew Watt

Financial Planning Manager, Representative National Australia Bank Limited

Andrew has been part of the NAB Financial Planning team since 1993 and has over 27 years’ experience within the financial planning industry. His work experience is varied and includes a number of different roles in banking and financial planning, including risk management, consumer lending and securities.

Andrew has completed a Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting) and has completed a Diploma of Financial Planning. He is a Certified Financial Planner and is also a member of the Financial Planning Association of Australia (FPA).

As part of the NAB Financial Planning team, Andrew has the knowledge and experience to assist clients in planning for their financial security and independence.

He is able to provide specialist advice on all aspects of financial planning. In particular, Andrew specialises in:

  • developing wealth accumulation strategies
  • superannuation and retirement planning
  • retirement income planning including rollovers and pensions
  • self-managed superannuation advice
  • tactical and strategic advice

Andrew’s customer service philosophy is simple. He will provide quality professional advice and will work with clients to develop a strategy tailored to their individual situation.

Dick Morath

Chairman GWM Adviser Services

Dick has over 30 years’ experience in funds management and banking.
He currently holds the positions of:

  • Chairman of all the Advice & Licences Board and financial planning companies in MLC, and of the Compliance Committee for all MLC dealerships.
  • Chairman of Plum, the MLC Group business that provides member services to the corporate superannuation market.
  • Chairman of National Australia Trustees
  • Director of MLC Nominees, the trustee for all the superannuation businesses of MLC.
  • Chairman of Medfin, part of the Business Bank that provides financial services to the medical and dental market.
  • Director of BNZ Life.