It was not until I reached the end of high school where I was confronted with the more serious questions from my folks: What are you going to do with your life? Do you have a plan? My parents had worked hard to raise me, and I had never gone without, but I had no answers for them. What I did know was that I liked sport and numbers, so why not complete a degree in Sports Science and Commerce to get the best of both worlds? What I did not account for was stumbling into a whole new one.

I could never have imagined meeting so many people from different cultures, who held different values and led different lifestyles. It was hard to comprehend how some people were spending their summers travelling Europe while others worked around the clock to make ends meet. During this time I developed such an appreciation for the value of money but also an understanding that everyone had their own path to follow. For me, I wanted security and the ability to provide for my future family and of course to retire at the age of 30.

I think this ultimate realisation is what drew me to financial planning, well that and a gentle nudge from my close friend and now colleague Rachel Blake. I consider myself very lucky and very privileged to work alongside like-minded passionate people who thrive on guiding people through their financial life. As for retiring at age 30… that may have been somewhat overzealous.

Zac is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® professional (CFP®) and a member of the Financial Planning Association (FPA). Zac has a double Bachelor’s degree in Commerce and Science and a Diploma of Financial Planning.

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One thing I often tell my clients, is the only constant in life is change. This has been so true for me. Thinking that sport and recreation would be my future, I soon found myself at university again, studying teaching (best thing I ever did, as this is where I met my beautiful wife, Vanessa). I began my teaching career as a Math’s Teacher and within a very short time moved into Deputy Principal roles. With the birth of my first daughter (we have 3 daughters) another significant change happened again for me. I became interested in the financial world thinking about my daughter’s future and her education (Maybe I was a helicopter parent!) but before I knew it, I had completed my studies and became a Financial Planner.

Being a CFP is the best decision I have ever made at a career level and a personal level. I started at a bank and then quickly moved to a much larger financial advice firm where I was a Directing Partner. This was a fabulous business with fun times, however, I knew that my wife and I could create our own story (our own business). We knew it would be hard work and it would require dedication and passion, but we were up to the challenge.  We wanted a culture of not only gold standard professional service but a culture of holistic practice where we can HELP people to declutter their lives, be it financial or anything attached to their finances! I love to help people, and this is why I do what I do. I love our clients and I love what we do. I love that our clients love what we do!

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In 2016, David was shortlisted as one of the top 3 CFP professionals in Australia.

David is passionate about providing the best possible advice to his clients and has been successfully working with a range of clients, helping them achieve their lifestyle goals since 2003.

David has recently been elected to the Financial Planning Association’s (FPA) national board from amongst his 11,000 peers. Prior to this David served as WA Chapter Chair of the FPA.

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Kathryn Creasy joined Capital Partners in 2014, after eight years working at a stockbroking firm. At the time she was looking for a change – an opportunity to help people, to provide more than just investment advice. She jumped on board after speaking to Capital Partners’ founders David and Michael, who convinced her with their passion for providing personalised, whole-of-life financial advice.

Today, Kathryn is a leading figure within the Capital Partners team and a lynchpin within the collaborative, multi-disciplinary culture that drives the company. Her influence and leadership now extends to the broader industry: she chaired the FPA Women in Wealth Committee in 2018 and was named Certified Financial Planner Professional of the Year in 2021.

Kathryn’s strength is her ability to simplify complex issues for high net worth families and walking with clients on a journey of discovery to clarify the way forward and quell their anxieties. She has particular expertise in helping women deal with the financial and emotional minefields of separation and divorce.

Kathryn brings a unique mix of acumen, collaboration and compassion to the financial planning profession.

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Interests: Family, Sport, AFL (North Melbourne), Travel, Community / Social Enterprise

What is a Rich Life for You?: A Rich Life for me is one in which I am able to leave the world better than I found it.  To give generously, helping others find their path and achieve their aspirations.  I want to explore with curiosity and satisfy my sense of adventure.  Most of all, to give my best and accomplish these things together, with my family and friends.

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Why Financial Planning for you?
Because it’s all I know and it’s woven into every part of my life – I am a planner in every sense, I can’t help but think about the future, I love to see results, I value the hard work it takes to get those results and enjoy celebrating when the plan comes together.

How do others describe you?
That question makes me smile, but I would hope to be known as practical, reliable, trustworthy and kind.

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Since joining as an associate, Michael has grown with our practice, becoming a respected leader, with a calm, considered approach that exemplifies of our values. Indeed, we’ve flourished together; Michael won the Financial Planning Association’s Certified Financial Planner Professional of the Year award in 2017, the same year Capital Partners won the Professional Practice of the Year Award.

A family man, Michael revels in the freedom our client-focused ethos gives him – the freedom to work at a deeper, personal level with clients, not just as individuals, but as families. It’s an approach that’s enabled Michael to become one of our industry’s leading lights, although he’ll tell you the most rewarding part of his job is seeing the look on clients’ faces when they reach the point of financial freedom, when they can make life decisions with confidence.

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Traditionally, most people expect a financial adviser’s ability to be tied to just investment performance or money. Whilst these things are important, most seek more when planning for the future. Paul’s clients seek an approach to advice that provides outcomes aligned to their values and sense of purpose.

Firstly, Paul helps clients create clarity with the planning issues for now and into the future. Much of what is discussed is around life’s needs and concerns as we lay the path together for the lives they seek.

Secondly, many of his clients appreciate a sense of self-discovery, exploring the skills to be more effective with the financial resources they have available.

Thirdly, they seek insights and solutions. This does not just come from what advice Paul is able to provide, but from what he learns about his clients.

Finally, Paul works as an ongoing partner with his clients. Over time and as life changes we’re able to adjust the plans and strategies to better reflect their current situation.

Paul’s value comes from a mutual understanding of life and its challenges. His clients are people with real dreams and concerns – not funds invested. Investment management or financial planning isn’t what Paul does – but how he does it!

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