6 November, 2025: Over 160 financial planning students from tertiary education institutions around Australia have participated in the 15th Entireti University Challenge, with RMIT University student, Adele Wraith, winning the prestigious competition and teams from Deakin University placing second and third.
Established in 2010 by AMP, the competition aims to recognise the next generation of financial planning talent, and promote financial planning as an attractive career.
As part of the challenge, entrants are tested on their technical knowledge and must produce and present a statement of advice. Participants also delivered a presentation on the value of life insurance.
This year’s event was held in Melbourne and judged by an independent panel that featured Steve Sloane from Link Wealth Group, Alisdair Barr from Striver, Lisa Sorgini from AMP, and Phil Anderson from the Financial Advice Association of Australia.
RMIT’s Wraith, who is also Member Manager at Pursue Wealth and a member of the FAAA’s Emerging Professionals Committee, beat Deakin University’s Ryan Pfitzner, Kirstie Suleman and Aislin Jones in second, and Michael Woods in third.
Other finalists included Martin Sta Romana from RMIT and Hendra Kosasih from TAFE NSW.
Neil Younger, Chief Executive Officer, Entireti, said the University Challenge formed part of a broader strategy to identify, nurture and advance the next generation of financial advisers.
The group’s plans include supporting advice businesses across Akumin, Fortnum Private Wealth, Personal Financial Services and Entireti Alliances to attract young talent like graduates and other job seekers.
“To improve access to quality advice and close the advice gap, the industry needs to urgently increase adviser numbers, which starts by promoting financial planning as an attractive career path and actively engaging with schools and universities,” Younger said.
“As one of the largest service providers to advice businesses, we believe that we have an obligation to play a leadership role in investing in the next generation of talent coming through.”
According to Wraith, who describes herself as an “aspiring financial adviser” on LinkedIn, the highlight of participating in the Entireti University Challenge was the opportunity to learn from experienced advisers and connect with like-minded students from across the country.
“This event gave me a chance to put theory into practice and tackle real-world scenarios,” she said.
“I’m passionate about making financial advice more accessible, particularly for young people.”
After graduating from RMIT at the end of this year, Wraith plans to begin her professional year within the next 12–18 months.
“Eventually, I’d love to become a partner at a firm that shares my values – or maybe even start my own financial planning business one day,” she said.
