WA adviser Troy MacMillan won the Association of Financial Advisers’ (AFA) top award at its annual conference on the Gold Coast last week.

He was selected from six finalists as Adviser of the Year.

Mr MacMillan is MD of Perth-based The Wealth Designers, part of the RI Advice dealer group, which he joined earlier this year.

AFA CEO Richard Klipin says Mr MacMillan’s commitment to excellence, superior client service, strong community involvement and streamlined systems and processes marked him as a winner.

“All of this year’s finalists excelled in the four key areas – giving advice, business acumen, community service and industry service – but his strong all-round practice and absolute commitment to excellence ultimately set him apart from his peers.”

The winner of the inaugural Female Excellence in Advice Award was Brisbane-based Olivia Maragna from Aspire Retire Financial Services.

Victorian adviser Finn Kelly won the AFA Excellence in Education Award. He is CEO of Wealth Enhancers, part of the Synchron dealer group.

Prior to becoming a financial adviser, Mr Kelly spent seven years as an army officer.

The Michael Murphy Award was given to AFA Treasurer Dennis Bateman for his long service to the association.

Mr Bateman was president of the association between 2006 and 2008 and has been an adviser since 1973.