I have worked with many chief executives of industry bodies over the past 20 years, and in my position, I get pretty close to many of them. In my mid 20s I was one of the founders and creators of the board of FEAL for super CEOs, my company was behind the creation of the Naked CEO content concept for CPA Australia, we created Your Best Interests for the AFA, worked with SPAA on our TV shows, the IPA in our small business series and the MFAA in our education program.
Why I am going to the trouble of listing all these? To honour outgoing FPA CEO, Mark Rantall.
I have known Mark for several years, and have grown not only to admire him, but also respect his leadership style and courage of conviction. There was a time a few years back, when the FPA made the bold move to change its membership charter. The move disenfranchised many in the industry and the decision was not a popular one.
I told Mark this in a very frank conversation, to which he replied “I don’t want to be popular Vanessa, I want to be right”. His decision proved to be for the best, earning Mark the respect of many in the process.
By right, he genuinely meant doing the right thing for the financial advice industry as a whole.
That is what Mark Rantall is all about. He has worked hard to create a better reputation and body of standards for the financial advice industry, because he has genuinely believed in the good the industry itself can do. I can remember as we had lunch one day, how Mark described a situation where someone he cared about had gotten into a desperate personal situation due to lack of skills with managing money. He told me this with real emotion, and it was at that point I realised – to Mark, this was about more than a profession – this was about the good the profession can do.
There are many reasons our industry should honour Mark Rantall, thank him for his passion and drive to change the industry and remember his leadership conviction. Here are my top 5 – because I know our readers love our top 5 lists.
1. Integrity: He did what was right, not what the many wanted him to
2. Independence: He was not afraid to stand alone – when many thought he should be
3. Compassion: He is kind at heart – Mark was gracious to recognise evolution media group’s contribution to the industry– I told him at the time this meant more than he would ever know
4. Leadership: He inspired people – Mark had a way of saying the right thing at the right time, to help others rise to the challenge
5. Professionalism: Mark always maintained the highest standards – and he held others to those same lofty measures
So as we farewell Mark and welcome a new CEO in Dante de Gori to the FPA, I know our industry is in safe hands. From all of us at No More Practice and evolution media group, a heartfelt Thank You, Mark, and good luck in your next adventure. Our industry is stronger thanks to your efforts.
