Newcastle Financial Advisors

Elliot Watson is an award-winning Certified Financial Planner (CFP) who has been providing advice to clients since 2007. Elliot enjoys helping his clients to create wealth and minimise financial risk. He is passionate about his work and couldn’t imagine doing anything else. With years of experience behind him and having now achieved the highest academic qualifications possible Elliot has decided to commence his own boutique financial planning business. Elliot’s vision is to provide unique and personalised services to clients in the Newcastle and Hunter communities.

Watson Wealth prides itself on strong relationships with its clients, with a focus on open and honest communication.

To ensure his clients receive the best financial advice, Elliot has devoted the last fourteen years of his life to academic studies and on-the-job experience. Elliot is a Certified Financial Planner, which is the highest level of certification that can be reached in his profession and is internationally recognised.

Qualifications include:

• Masters of Financial Planning – CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® (CFP®), Deakin University
• Bachelor of Economics, University of Newcastle
• Advanced Diploma in Financial Services (Financial Planning), Kaplan
• Diploma in Financial Services (Financial Planning), Kaplan

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Justice of the Peace
Elliot has been appointed a Justice of the Peace (JP) in the state of NSW.  As a JP Elliot is authorised to exercise the functions conferred by or under the Justices of the Peace Act, the Oaths Act or any other NSW Act as required.

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Christine Lusher is one of Australia's best Female Financial Planners, awarded Regional Financial Advisor of the Year 2023 and 2025 and Finalist in the Australian Wealth Management Awards for Best Financial Adviser of the Year 2024.​

Christine works with women to find clarity on your FIF [Financial Independence Figure], offering a high-touch caring service that empowers clients to make their own financial decisions backed by up-to-date financial knowledge and strategy.

Services

• Family Financial Planning
• Retirement Planning
• Superannuation Strategy
• Investment Strategy
• Cash Flow Management
• Divorce and Separation Financial Advice
• Insurance & Asset Protection
• Aged Care and Centrelink Planning
• Tax Minimisation
• Debt Management

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As the Director and Senior Adviser, Andrew Shakespeare commenced his financial advice career in 2001 as a Paraplanner and Strategist at JSA Financial Planning Group.

In early 2005 Andrew moved to Sydney to work with MLC where he trained, consulted and guided financial advisers across Australia in the development of financial advice strategies, financial modelling and construction of financial plans (Statements of Advice).  During this time Andrew also became a senior trainer of the ‘Paraplanner Academy’ – an intensive program designed to train and develop the skills of paraplanners and financial planning strategists from across Australia.

In 2008, Andrew returned to JSA Financial Planning Group to join his father, Jeff Shakespeare in the expansion of the JSA Group where he has been operating as a Senior Financial Adviser and in 2011 became a Director of the company.

“Traditionally people have seen the need for Financial Advice as only suitable for someone with monies to invest and/or needing to protect their personal risks through insurance. But the financial advice we provide is much broader than this; and should be. Portfolio management and managing someone’s risks only make up part of a client’s overall needs. For instance, my clients might also need help managing their day-to-day cash flow, or just want clarity that they have accumulated enough for retirement, or want to know what options they have in funding say a car, or want to know the ins and outs of property investing. In fact, to meet a client’s goals we might find that investing entails paying down existing debt, investing in themselves through further education, investing in their own business and then of course it could be through the more traditional avenues of shares, property, cash and term deposits. My role is to effectively put myself into the client’s shoes, guide them on the possible strategies and scenarios that they should consider and do what I can to achieve their goals over time.”

Given Andrew’s experience in the Financial Planning Industry, he has been asked to speak at AFA National Conferences and was the main platform speaker at the 2009 Matrix Annual Conference, presenting ‘Running Personal Finances like a Successful Business’.

Andrew’s educational qualifications include:

• Certified Financial Planner CFP®
• Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting and Finance)
• Graduate Diploma of Applied Finance and Investment (FINSIA)
• Graduate Diploma of Financial Planning (FINSIA)
• Fellow of the Financial Services Institute of Australia (FINSIA)

Andrew has been awarded:

• 2010 Association of Financial Advisers (AFA) Rising Star of the Year Award
• 2010 Matrix Good Advice Award
• 2006 NAB/ThreeSixty Best Individual Performance Award

Andrew’s and industry memberships include:

• Financial Planning Association (FPA)
• Association of Financial Advisers (AFA)

Andrew has also been active in local community workshops helping the public understand how shares and markets operate, teaching apprentices about money and managing their personal finances and being involved in charity raising events. Andrew is married to Melanie and has a daughter Imogen and a son Aksel.

​Andrew’s personal interests include:

• Snow-skiing
• Travelling
• Keeping fit
• Enjoying the simple things in life with Imogen, Mel and Aksel

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Tabitha, co-owner and Senior Financial Planner at Insight Wealth Planning, brings over two decades of expertise to the financial services industry.

Her career began as a customer service representative at a Big 4 bank and evolved into a specialist role with a dealer group, where she collaborated with advisers to enhance technology, systems, and compliance. Tabitha has since earned her Diploma, Advanced Diploma, and Graduate Certificate in Business Administration.

Throughout her career, Tabitha has supported clients with a variety of needs, from first-time home buyers and women striving for financial independence to individuals navigating wealth transitions into Aged Care. Her expertise spans investment advice, wealth creation, shares and property, superannuation, retirement income streams, personal risk insurance, and gearing strategies.

Passionate about giving back, Tabitha dedicates much of her time to the Cancer Council’s ‘Pro Bono’ financial planning program. This initiative helps patients with terminal illnesses manage the claim process for superannuation and life insurance. She explains, “Claiming on policies can be an overwhelming and stressful process. We guide people through it to alleviate their financial and emotional stress.”

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Rhys’ position as an adviser allows him the opportunity to assist clients with their goals and improve their financial situation. He has been in the financial industry for over 17 years, and continues to enjoy working with clients through all stages of their lives.

He has achieved CFP® (Certified Financial Planner) status, has an ADFP (Advanced Diploma of Financial Planning) and holds specialist accreditation to provide SMSF, shares and gearing advice.

He also holds professional memberships with the Financial Planning Association (FPA) and the Authorised Representatives Association (ARA).

As a father of four young boys, he enjoys spending time with his family and enjoying all that is on offer in the Newcastle region.

Qualifications

• Advanced Diploma of Financial Services (Financial PlanningRhys)
• Certified Financial Planner (CFP®)

Areas of Expertise

• Cash flow and budgeting
• Defined Benefits Super Schemes (for State and Federal Public Servants)
• Insurance – protecting families and individuals
• Investments – direct/managed funds/bonds/margin lending
• Retirement planning

Memberships

• • Authorised Representative of Charter Financial Planning Limited
  • Member of the Financial Planning Association of Australia

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