WILLOW Financial Group has welcomed two locals with a combined 60 years experience in the financial sector following its January takeover of Lynch Financial Group.
Bringing a wealth of knowledge, Chris Lynch and Anne Quick have joined the expanding team which now boasts 18 expert staff.
Willow Financial Group owner Tanya Coxon said she had strived to build up the business to offer services across key aspects of the financial sector.
“This started as a two-man show with owners Scott and Pauline and then I came on board and purchased Scott’s financial planning book and started the lending arm,” Ms Coxon explained.
“We took over Brenton Woodward Financial Services and Brenton had a financial planning book and general insurance, so we are now across all three.”
Acquiring several local businesses and retaining all staff during each takeover, Ms Coxon said Willow Financial Group was committed to helping clients with all their financial needs.
“We took over Albey Feil Financial and Insurance Services and IH Hunter Insurance Services and most recently we acquired Lynch Financial Group in January,” she said.
“At the moment we are still working across three offices, but we will be combining at our Eleanor Street location once we complete some renovations and implement new phone systems.
“Chris and his staff will relocate here hopefully in the next four to five weeks – each time we have completed a takeover we have taken on all the staff and all but one has continued on with us.”
Ms Coxon said her former career in banking had allowed for insight into the financial sector and she had identified the potential to acquire a number of financial planning portfolios.
“I was at ANZ bank for three years and NAB for 18, so I’ve always been in the finance industry,” she said.
“I saw an opening with financial planners – I knew there would be the potential for purchases down the track given they were all nearing retirement age.”
As owner of Willow Financial Group and a Muffin Break franchisee, Ms Coxon said working across the two businesses was a balancing act.
“My mum and my sister run Muffin Break for me – they are very hands-on and work six days a week, 12 hours a day,” she said.
“I’m generally there before and after work during the week and for a few hours on the weekend.”
