Farewell Michael HarrisonBY JAMIE WILLIAMSON | MONDAY, 22 MAY 2023 11:27AM Tributes are flowing for the life insurance industry stalwart following his passing over the weekend. Related News |
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David Sharpe
CHAIRMAN
FINANCIAL ADVICE ASSOCIATION AUSTRALIA
FINANCIAL ADVICE ASSOCIATION AUSTRALIA
A family man, business owner, cricket fanatic and financial adviser, David Sharpe has many facets. One of his biggest legacies, as he steps down as chair of the Financial Advice Association Australia, is leaving the profession stronger than he found it.
The Financial Standard podcast Tune in each week as we discuss the latest developments in Australia's wealth management industry. |  |
I recall the first time I came across Michael, in about 1994 when I was a much younger and much more enthusiastic life adviser. He was indeed one of the greats. He was inspirational, a true leader and simply a great guy with whom to sit down and have a chat - he always pepped you up and taught you something! I can remember the first time very clearly, when he was giving a talk to our dealer group at a PD day. It was about how the INTERNET would change our industry and indeed the world. The one particular thing he said that I recall vividly was "the internet is mightier than the sword OR the pen". I think I'm paraphrasing there but it was a twist on the old saying the pen is mightier than the sword. Not everyone agreed with him but in retrospect he was prescient and ahead of his time as usual. Now, after 37 years looking back on my time in our once-great profession I can truly say he was indeed ONE OF THE GREATS. Thank you Michael!
He came and sat next to me one day at morning tea at a Business Development Day.
My mother had recently passed away. I appreciated the time he spent with me. He was aware of my hurt.
Michael introduced me to Synchron and later to the AFA as he sought to build their profiles with media and the adviser world. He was a visionary before the advice industry knew it needed vision to truly become a profession.
He will be greatly missed.