Guardian Advice has expanded its network with four new practices in NSW and Victoria, as part of its three year growth strategy to increase adviser numbers by partnering with independent practices.

In 2011, Suncorp Group owned Guardian repositioned as a risk-focused dealer group aligned to growth-oriented advice practices, with a philosophy to enable advisers to "do business their way."

"Australia's advice landscape is highly competitive, and with the regulatory changes facing the industry, many advisers are seeking a more certain future with a dealer group offering a compelling partnering model," said Guardian Advice executive manager Simon Harris.

"We've attracted these new practices because of our common understanding and focus on risk as our core business, and also shared desire to recruit our next generation of future leaders. "

The group has launched a number of growth initiatives recently, including Guardian's free Risk SOA Offer and the Guardian Business Academy which is an online tool for practice principals which benchmarks the 'health 'of their business.