Management Team

With in excess of 50 years in financial services, Don has managed to notch up more than most serving our industry.  In 2014 he was admitted as an Honorary Lifetime Member of the Australian and New Zealand institute of Insurance and Finance.  A career that includes senior Life Office management and International Insurance Broking, 

Don has been a principal of financial services distribution organisations since 1989.  An active commentator in the Press, he is know for his outspoken views in support of quality financial advice.  Married to Gayle since 1972, Don is a proud father to 2 sons and a daughter and a grandfather to his little mate Jack.  Don was a qualified SCUBA instructor although he now struggles to fit in the occasional splash.

John is one of the two Executive Directors of Synchron. His primary responsibilities are compliance and regulatory matters, professional indemnity insurance matters and investment advice.

He is a CFP ®, FChFP and a Justice of the Peace in Victoria. 

He has been a financial adviser for more than 35 years and has worked in financial services for over 50 years.

He is trying very hard (largely unsuccessfully) to get one day off per week to play golf!  

Michael is a business consultant specialising in the growth of financial services businesses.

He is recognised as one of the most technologically savvy consultants who helps clients understand how technological, social and business forces are converging to create enormous untapped opportunities.

Ian holds an MBA, Graduate Diploma in Business Management, Advanced Diploma Financial Services & a Bachelor of Arts majoring in Police Studies

Before entering the financial services industry, Ian was a twenty-year member of the Victoria Police working in areas such as major crime, armed robbery squad, internal audit & major projects. Ian particularly enjoys working in the industry with financial advisers to ensure customers receive the best possible overall advice they can. He is an avid Sydney Swans fan, loves swimming & surf lifesaving, travel & is the proud father of two wonderful young men

Sarah has completed a Bachelor of Science & Business, majoring in Maths & Economics at Flinders University in Adelaide, along with a Diploma of Financial Planning. Sarah’s experience in the finance industry spans over 19 years, in roles including insurance adviser and most recently Sales Executive for MLC Insurance. Sarah has built her career on initiating, managing, strengthening and maintaining strong client relationships, and is driven by new challenges.  

Originally from the well know beach side suburb of Glenelg, in Adelaide, Sarah has also spent time residing in regional Mildura and London. Sarah & her husband David have made their home in Melbourne with their 3 beautiful daughters, Annabelle, Sophia & Florence.

Sarah loves spending time at the beach with her family and in her garden tending to her roses, travelling, bike riding and most recently has taken up roller skating with her daughters.

As a son of a Police Officer and a Queenslander, Matthew had aspirations of following his father’s footsteps. However, since Matthew faints at the sight of blood, he found his calling in the financial services industry instead. 

After a robust 6 years running and growing his own financial planning business, and also marrying the love of his life Renee and having 3 beautiful girls, he joined Synchron as State Manager of NSW.

Ever since Steve Smith ruined Matthew’s cricket test career aspirations, he hasn’t looked back and loves helping and growing the Synchron advisers and building the family feel within this large Synchron family.

Bernie’ s passion in Financial Services is to align similar minded Professionals to better service their Clients with the best of breed Referral Partners.

Having worked as an Underwriter at State and Head-Office levels and winning awards for Excellence in Customer Service Bernie became a Business Development Manager in Risk and Funds Management winning awards for New-Business Inflows and Retention.

Joining Synchron in 2012 Bernie has grown the State from 14 to 105 Planners many of whom are now aligned with Referral Partners in Accounting and Lending.

Outside of work Bernie’s interests are vintage cars, golf and spending time with Maria travelling to country towns in Western Australia and learning about their history

At an industry function, Chris stands out for more than just the obvious. 

After helping advisers for more than 25 years, he has gained vast experience and the trust of many in the advice profession and always wants the best for you and your business.

Chris is passionate about advice and what it means to you and your clients.

After a stint at the Financial Ombudsman Service as a Case Manager specialising in complex disputes for the Investments and Advice team Alison joined Synchron as a Practice Development Manager. She was promoted to Head of Compliance – Advice Assurance in February 2020.

Alison is well known to many of the Synchron Family through her long and varied association with financial planning. She is passionate about quality advice, working at all hours of the day and night, and her three dogs.

Hanna has more than 25 years’ experience in the financial services industry. She held various management positions progressing through client services, product and business development culminating in a focus on governance, risk and compliance.

Outside of work, Hanna enjoys fussing over her family and catching up with friends.

In the year of grand Millennium 2000, I changed my career path from ‘the World of Entertainment’ (Crown) to ‘the world of Financial Planning’ and have never looked back. Quite obviously, my unique skill is looking after high rollers! Through my journey of various roles in financial planning I have discovered my devotion and passion in helping advisers with the delivery of best advice and service to customers.

Before joining the Synchron family, I worked as Practice Technology Coach at CBA for 13 years.

Outside the office, when I am not thinking of work, I enjoy reading, dancing and watching movies. My friends say I am a good cook, but I don’t like cooking. I would prefer to wash dishes instead!

Josie has over 40 years’ experience in administration in many differing roles such as a Legal Stenographer, Real Estate Property Management both commercial and residential, General Insurance agent, Bank Teller, Bookkeeping, and now Executive Assistant to Don Trapnell and Office Manager at Synchron with in excess of 40 staff.

With her true love of administration and looking after staff she has an even greater love for her family and most importantly her perfect granddaughter Indiana.