Our Team

Mark Connell

Mark founded Up Wealth Management (Up) in 2014. As Managing Director of Up, Mark is responsible for the Canberra, Sydney and South Coast business operations.

Mark has 25 years experience as a financial planner and has been in management roles for the past 15 years.  Mark is a Certified Financial Planner (CFP) and a member of the Financial Advice Association Australia (FAAA).

Mark enjoys working closely with clients to achieve their objectives in life.  These clients are generally affluent, high net wealth or high net income investors.  They display the following characteristics:

• They are willing to work with and place trust in a financial professional.
• They are nice people to work with.
• They value advice and are willing to pay for it.
• They may be time poor.

He believes that the success of Up will be measured by the financial outcomes that are delivered to clients, business partners and staff.

In 2018, Mark was awarded the National Garvan Adviser of the Year award.  The award was based on delivering exceptional client experiences, assisting in growth and development of people within his business, actively contributing to the financial planning community and consistently delivering strong compliance outcomes.

Over the past 8 years, Mark has sat on various Advisory committees, in a capacity where feedback is provided, ideas are tested and forward thinking is given to the licensees.  Mark is presently a member of the Rhombus Advisory Consultative committee, who represent Advisers across Australia in working with our licensee.  In addition, Mark is a Director and Board Member of Rhombus Advisory.

Mark is married to Natasha and they have two children, Cadence and Carter.  He loves cricket, is a mad St.George Dragons fan, enjoys a round of golf and keeps fit at his local gym.

Aaron Hopkins

Aaron joins Up with a wealth of experience in Banking and Financial advice.  As a Director, Shareholder and Adviser, Aaron is passionate about the service, relationship, experience and outcomes delivered to clients.

Aaron has a Bachelor of Commerce, an Advanced Diploma of Financial Planning (ADFP) and is a member of the Financial Advice Association Australia (FAAA).

Aaron's focus is to truly understand what is important to you and your family.  In a unique personal approach Aaron educates and guides his clients through the financial landscape to ensure they will make the most of the opportunities available to them.

Aaron enjoys working with those clients that: seek a long term relationship, accept and appreciate guidance from a professional and are willing to be challenged and kept accountable, 

A former professional hockey player who represented Australia at the highest level, Aaron enjoys all sports and spending time with his wife, Emma and their 3 young children, Lachlan, Bella and Noah.

Brett Billington

After years of gaining experience across a number of Australia’s best financial advice businesses, Brett has put down his roots in a business he can call his own and which reflects his values and ethos.  

Brett works with high net wealth and high net income individuals, small to medium sized enterprises and self funded retirees.  As a Director, Shareholder and Adviser at Up, Brett's passion lies in helping clients through technical strategies for SMSFs, trusts and financial modelling. 

Brett holds a Bachelor of Commerce, is a Certified Financial Planner, a Life Risk Specialist Advisor and a member of the Financial Advice Association Australia (FAAA).

Brett is an advocate in delivering better client outcomes by integrating financial advice with other professionals.

Tammy Marshman

Tammy Marshman is a Senior Financial Adviser with over 18 years of industry experience. Tammy values building strong, long-lasting, personal relationships with clients. She helps clients articulate, plan for, and achieve their goals, demystifying the advice process and empowering them to make informed decisions.

Tammy is a Certified Financial Planner® and FAAA Aged Care Specialist Adviser®. Committed to ongoing education, Tammy is currently completing her Master’s in Financial Planning. Tammy shares her experience with a wider audience through her monthly article in Peninsula Living magazine, offering valuable insights to readers seeking financial guidance.

Balancing her professional life with being a busy single mother, Tammy finds joy in making a positive impact on her clients' financial and personal well-being. With her caring approach and strong technical expertise, Tammy is committed to providing exceptional financial advice, guiding clients with confidence on their financial journeys.

Jamie Denham

Jamie Denham is a financial adviser at Up Wealth Management with years of experience helping clients achieve their financial and life goals. With a Bachelor of Applied Financial Advice from Griffith University, Jamie is passionate about holistic financial planning, helping clients uncover their aspirations and work towards them with confidence.

Education is central to Jamie’s approach, ensuring clients not only receive clear and practical advice but also gain the knowledge to actively engage in the process. This personalised approach is designed to deliver well-rounded outcomes tailored to each client’s unique situation.

Outside of work, Jamie enjoys traveling with her partner, board game nights, painting, and musicals. A keen traveller, Jamie loves swapping stories and gathering inspiration for future adventures. These hobbies, developed over the years, have helped foster creativity, dedication, and strategic thinking.

Dean Cowdroy

Since joining Up Wealth in 2020, Dean has been involved in several roles alongside our advisers across the business and carries an array of experience through the financial advice industry. Dean is an authorised Financial Adviser, passionate about helping people achieving their financial freedom.

Prior to joining Up Wealth, Dean completed his undergraduate studies overseas obtaining a Bachelor of Science in Personal Finance from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, USA and has since obtained a Graduate Diploma of Financial Planning from Deakin University. Dean is also a member of the Financial Advice Association Australia (FAAA) and continues his studies within a Master of Financial Planning, to broaden his knowledge and expertise within the industry.

Based in the Sydney office, Dean is a detailed and committed individual with aspirations in building quality long-lasting relationships with clients to help them achieve their lifetime goals.

In his spare time, Dean can be found at the beach, playing soccer, golf or really anything to do with the outdoors!

Kurt Pepper

Kurt recently joined Up Wealth in 2024, having close to a decade of experience in the financial services industry.  Kurt is a licensed financial adviser who is passionate about helping guide clients into and through their retirement, whilst supporting them in achieving their goals.

Kurt graduated from the University of Wollongong in 2017 with a Bachelor of Commerce (Distinction), Majoring in Financial Planning.

Kurt has a passion for investing and all financial markets.  On the weekend, you'll find him playing golf, at the Beach, reading the newspaper (The Financial Review) or being dragged on hikes by his wife Kayla.

Harry King

Harry joined the Up Wealth team in July 2021 and is based full-time in our Sydney CBD office. Harry is a licensed financial adviser who aims to play a crucial role in helping clients meet their financial needs and goals by delivering expertise, being highly responsive, and providing ongoing guidance.

Harry has completed a Bachelor of Business through the University of Newcastle and holds a Graduate Diploma in Financial Planning through the University of Technology Sydney.

Harry enjoys keeping fit, playing rugby league, catching up with friends and heading back home to Terrigal when he gets a chance.

Stephen Gandy

Stephen joined us from the UK in November 2022 having previously worked within the UK Financial Services industry for over 10 years.  Stephen works closely with the advisers in the Canberra office in a Client Relationship Manager role providing administrative support, writing advice documents and providing support to clients throughout all key stages of implementation.  Stephen obtained the relevant qualifications to enable him to be a Financial Adviser in the UK, prior to making the move to Australia and will be commencing a Graduate Diploma in Financial Planning as part of his continuous goal of becoming a Financial Adviser.

​Outside of work Stephen enjoys lots of exercise at the gym, running and trying to improve his game on the golf course.  He is a long-term supporter/sufferer of football (soccer) team Sheffield United and a more recent suffering supporter of the St George Dragons.

Vinh Nguyen

Vinh joins the Up Wealth team after gaining several years of invaluable experience holding a variety of roles within the financial planning process.

Based in our Sydney office as a Client Relationship Manager, Vinh aims to provide all clients and stakeholders with excellent service as he believes this is a key element in any great professional relationship. Working closely with our advisers, Vinh’s role enables him to continually improve upon client relationships through efficiently completing tasks, the timely production of easy-to-understand advice documents and his availability to provide assistance when required.

Vinh holds a Bachelor of Economics majoring in Finance from the University of New South Wales and a Graduate Diploma of Financial Planning from Kaplan. He appreciates the importance of continual professional development to keep abreast of the ever-changing financial advice industry landscape on his path to becoming an adviser himself.

In his spare time, Vinh likes to get out the map, pick somewhere and just explore. He also enjoys listening to music and reading books. His favourite musicians are Taylor Swift and Ed Sheeran, with Ryan Holiday and Eckhart Tolle being his favourite authors.

Pamela Quilliam

Pamela embarked on her Client Services/Paraplanning journey back in 2005. She thrives on putting clients first and leveraging her Technical and Compliance skills at Up Wealth Management. Pamela is genuinely passionate about championing mental health awareness and fostering financial literacy skills. Outside of work, she's a keen traveler, always seeking new adventures, and enjoys quality time with her loved ones.

Pamela has successfully completed her Masters of Applied Finance (Financial Planning), a testament to her unwavering commitment to professional growth and expertise in the field.

Saskia de Puit

Saskia has worked in a variety of industries in Australia and Switzerland prior to joining the Up Wealth team in January 2023 as a Client Service Officer. She graduated from her Bachelor of Accounting (Taxation and Financial Planning) in 2024 from Western Sydney University with distinction.

Saskia is a Client Relationship Manager, working in support with the advisers to service our clients in Sydney.  Her role is focused on guiding clients through the advice process until each stage is completed. This includes engaging with and advocating for clients, producing advice documents, completing the implementation of advice and other ad hoc tasks. Saskia is passionate about personal finance and is committed to expanding her knowledge in the field.

Outside of work, Saskia enjoys spending time with her husband Jack and her friends. She loves board and card games, cooking and baking, and is always up for an outdoors adventure.

Michael Harris

Prior to joining the Up Wealth team in April 2023, Michael worked at a high school supervising boarding students, he continues to do this but only in a part time role.

Michael is currently studying for a Graduate Diploma in Financial Planning. This will allow him to continue to hone his skills in the office and increase his qualifications.

Michael grew up in a small town in rural NSW called Guyra and slowly moved South with a few stops before moving to Canberra in mid-2022. He is very comfortable with the cold and enjoys the view on a frosty winter morning.

Formerly Michael represented Australia mountain biking mostly through Europe and Canada, he now enjoys riding to work the long way and getting out to Stromlo on the weekends. Apart from riding Michael enjoys reading and anything outdoors in his spare time.

Caity Steele

Caity has been working in the financial planning industry for over 5 years.  Prior to joining the Up Wealth team in December 2023, Caity completed her Graduate Diploma in Financial Planning through Kaplan.

Caity grew up in QLD on the Sunshine Coast and after school made the move to northern NSW to experience the country life. She then spent time living in both Melbourne and Brisbane before making the move down to Canberra.

Caity is extremely passionate about financial advice, and strongly believes in empowering individuals to take control of their financial futures by helping to provide them with the knowledge and tools to make informed decisions. Having witnessed the positive impact strategic financial advice can have on client’s lives fuels her dedication to help guide others towards financial stability and success.

In her free time, Caity loves to spend time with her partner and their fur-babies. She is also an avid gym goer, enjoys getting lost in a good book, and spending time outside camping, hiking, snowboarding or hitting the beach.

Molly Lynch

Molly has been in the financial planning industry for three years, prior to joining the Up Wealth Team in December 2023. Molly is currently undertaking her graduate diploma in financial planning, with the aim to complete her studies early 2025. 

Molly grew up in a small town in the central tablelands district of NSW. After finishing school, she took the leap and moved to Canberra to begin her studies at the University of Canberra, where she completed a Bachelor of Commerce Majoring in Financial Planning. This was the beginning of her interest and passion for the industry. 

Based full time in our Canberra office as a Client Relationship Manager, Molly works closely with our advisers ensuring our clients receive a positive and professional experience. Through this role Molly assists in managing all stages of the advice process, from organising meetings, collating information, to advice generation and implementation. Molly is eager to strengthen her skills and expand her knowledge in the field of financial planning.

In her spare time, Molly loves trying new recipes in the kitchen, listening to music, spending weekends camping with family and friends, and getting outdoors into nature.

Iman Omerika

Prior to joining the Up Wealth team in July 2024, Iman gained several years of experience in a financial planning support role. She holds a Bachelor of Commerce with a Major in Finance and Banking from the University of Canberra and is committed to continuing her professional development by completing a Graduate Diploma in Financial Planning.

Originally from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Iman has also lived in a number of countries across Europe, which has given her a rich understanding of diverse cultures and perspectives. She decided to make Australia her permanent home, drawn to its vibrant culture and the welcoming community.

As a Client Relationship Manager, she works closely with advisers to deliver exceptional service, assisting with client communication, advice document preparation, and strategy implementation. Passionate about financial planning, she is dedicated to helping clients achieve financial freedom and make informed decisions for long-term security.

Outside of work, Iman enjoys travelling with family and friends, and staying active with regular gym and pilates classes. She is also an avid language learner with a passion for picking up new languages.

Angus McLaughlin

Angus joined the Up Wealth team in December 2023, bringing with him valuable experience from his previous role as a retail salesperson, where he developed a strong understanding of client needs. Born and raised in Canberra, Angus makes up part of the Canberra support team.  As a Client Services Officer, Angus is dedicated to prioritising clients needs by offering administrative support and providing clear updates throughout the various stages of implementation.

Recently, Angus has completed a Bachelor of Finance at the Australian National University graduating in mid-2024. In the near future, Angus will commence a Graduate Diploma in Financial Planning.

Outside of work, he enjoys going to the gym, spending time with his dogs, and both watching and playing soccer.

Linda Travers

Linda previously spent a life in investment banking and has been in financial planning on the South Coast for over 13 years.  Linda heads up our Accounts and Payroll for the broader business and is a key part of providing an ongoing service offer for clients on the South Coast in her role as Client Relationship Manager.

Linda is the first point of contact on the phone and in person at the ‘Bay’.  A familiar face, with a friendly smile, Linda provides a strong service that helps our clients feel in control.