Infocus appoints head of practice growth

Infocus Wealth Management announced that Darren Smith will serve as its new head of practice growth, a role created to boost adviser performance and firm expansion. The position is the firm’s second executive‑team appointment announced this week, showing the rapid pace of its leadership expansion.

Role and expectations

Based in Brisbane, the new hire will oversee a refreshed adviser and practice growth function, providing strategic guidance and hands‑on execution to improve profitability.

The company said, “In his new role, Smith will lead Infocus’ business growth agenda, leading a team of practice development managers to help advisers identify opportunities, strengthen management disciplines, improve profitability and execute their growth strategies with greater confidence.”

Smith also brings experience running his own advisory practice, which equips him with practical insights into adviser‑level challenges.

Smith’s background and comments

Smith brings more than three decades of experience across Australian and UK financial services, including eight years as managing director of Financial Advice Matters.

An Infocus statement noted, “Smith has built a reputation as a trusted adviser to business owners and leadership teams. His career spans senior executive positions, business ownership and strategic advisory roles, including the successful growth and sale of Financial Advice Matters Group in 2023.” Infocus highlighted that the hire reinforces its pledge to help advisers build stronger, scalable firms.

The appointment attracted him because of the firm’s genuine commitment to adviser success, and he added, “What attracted me to Infocus is the depth of support available to advisers and the firm’s willingness to continue investing in new capabilities that help advisers achieve both.”

Founder and managing director Darren Steinhardt said supporting adviser growth is a top priority, commenting, “[Smith] brings a rare combination of commercial experience, strategic insight and practical advice industry knowledge.”

Steinhardt also explained that the new role reflects advisers’ evolving needs, noting that today’s advisers “are also business owners managing growth, succession, talent, technology and operational complexity.” He noted that the creation of the role directly responds to advisers acting as business owners facing complex operational demands.

The title may sound like a corporate buzzword, yet the appointment signals a concrete shift toward more direct support for advisers.

Broader executive reshuffle

Smith’s hire follows recent appointments of Terry Constable as executive general manager for platforms, Anthony Vaiente as head of enterprise growth, and Mitchell Healey as asset consultant.

Infocus stated these moves aim to strengthen expertise across business growth, technology, platforms, investment management and operational support.

“Our goal is simple: to ensure advisers have access to the best people, expertise and resources they need to build highly successful advice businesses,” Steinhardt said.

The reshuffle demonstrates a coordinated effort to align leadership talent with the firm’s long‑term strategic plan.