VBP names inaugural chief growth officer. Outsourcing specialist firm Vital Business Partners has appointed a chief growth officer, a newly-created role, to drive technology innovation and strengthen client relationships. Reading Time: 3 mins read Outsourcing specialist firm Vital Business Partners (VBP) has appointed Craig Kouimanis to the newly-created role of chief growth officer. Kouimanis joins from licensee services company Paragem, where he was head of the firm for more than five years, prior to which he was a securitor at BT Financial Group across several states, spending almost nine years with the group. Stepping up as VBP's first chief growth officer, Kouimanis will be responsible for building and maintaining client and stakeholder relationships, ensuring client needs are met, and strengthening the firm's position as a specialist among the advice profession. On top of this, he will facilitate product and service innovation as VBP expands its agentic AI and automation services. Kouimanis will report to VBP chief executive Mark Fisher who noted the value of his deep experience supporting advisers over the years to help them run successful businesses. "He intimately understands the challenges and opportunities facing advice businesses and the services and support they need to achieve their goals and grow," Fisher said. "VBP exists to help businesses scale sustainably, improve performance and focus on what matters most, and Craig is the ideal person to help shape our growth strategy and drive initiatives across the IFA and licensee segments." As technology continues to evolve and provide significant efficiency opportunities for small businesses, Kouimanis said both people and technology are critical as Money Management move forward, with both squarely at the heart of VBP. "I believe that systems run businesses and people run systems, and VBP has the right combination of people and tech to drive efficiencies, productivity and performance," he said. "VBP strives to bring institutional-grade services and resources to advice SMEs in order to solve their problems and support them to achieve their growth ambitions, and I am excited to work with Mark and his team to execute the group's mission and strategy." The Australian-owned, Philippines-based outsourcing company had flagged growth plans in 2024, when it took a minority equity stake in Ensombl, a digital platform for financial advisers. Earlier this year, Fisher was appointed to lead VBP, replacing Nathan Jacobsen who became chief executive at AZ NGA, which owns interest in VBP. "Over the past few years, VBP has expanded its services and offer to advice, accounting and mortgage broking businesses, and opened new offices in Cagayan De Oro, in the Philippines. The business has ambitious plans to continue growing and delivering a broad range of outsourcing services to clients," Jacobsen said at the time.

Vital Business Partners names chief executive. The latest issue of Financial Standard now available as an e-newspaper Executive Appointments | / | / | / | / | Vital Business Partners names chief executive BY MATTHEW WAI | WEDNESDAY, 20 MAY 2026 11:51AM Vital Business Partners (VBP), part of AZ NGA's network, has appointed a new chief executive, replacing Nathan Jacobsen who joined the parent company as chief operating officer earlier this year but continued to oversee the management of VBP. VBP has appointed former Godfrey Pembroke chief executive Mark Fisher to lead the group into its next phase of growth, effective June 1. Prior to Godfrey Pembroke, Fisher was the managing director of Securitor, and held senior roles at BT Financial Group, Westpac and Macquarie Group previously. As chief executive, Fisher will support the firm's adoption of new technology like automation and artificial intelligence (AI), improve cyber security and risk management, while scaling the business sustainably. Welcoming the appointment, Jacobsen described Fisher as an experienced and dedicated leader. "Mark is a highly respected leader with proven experience running successful businesses, driving growth initiatives and leading large teams through periods of change and disruption, and we are very excited to have him on board to take VBP forward," Jacobsen said. "Over the past few years, VBP has expanded its services and offerings to advice, accounting and mortgage broking businesses, and opened new offices in Cagayan De Oro, in the Philippines. The business has ambitious plans to continue growing and delivering a broad range of outsourcing services to clients." Fisher added that he looks forward to joining VBP. "I'm excited to join VBP and grow the group's position as a leading specialist of outsourced services and solutions to financial advisers and accountants," Fisher said. "VBP is also passionate about being a great place to work and providing career development opportunities for its people, which I strongly believe in." VBP currently has around 300 clients and over 1500 team members, spread across offices in Sydney, Australia, and Cebu City and Cagayan De Oro in the Philippines. The business provides a range of services including intelligent automation, paraplanning, administration support, and a range of business consulting services including business coaching, and practice management training and workshops. Meanwhile, John Nantes has been appointed executive director of Godfrey Pembroke, succeeding Fisher. He brings over 30 years' experience across wealth and financial services, the firm said. Read more: VBP, Vital Business Partners, Godfrey Pembroke, Nathan Jacobsen, AZ NGA, Mark Fisher, BT Financial Group, John Nantes VIEW COMMENTS Related News | | | M&A is not a 'scattergun' approach: AZ NGA | | | | JANA hires general manager, wealth | | | | AZ NGA acquires Tasmanian advice firm | | | | AZ NGA plots regional NSW advice hub via new partnership | | | | Equip Super appoints acting chief executive | | | | Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. acquires Asset Partners Private Wealth | | | | AZ NGA names chief operating officer | | | | BT, Challenger to deliver retirement income suite | | | | Granite Bay Private Wealth launches, taps BlackRock | | | | Coastline Advice, Edge Advisory Partners to merge Editor's choice. Competition is heating up between MLC, AMP and CFS with all three spruiking their retirement offerings. Federation Hermes has expanded its Australian wholesale offering with the launch of the Federated Hermes Global Equity Fund, as the global asset manager deepens its push into the local wealth management market. Bell Financial Group has announced the launch of Tandem Capital expanding its platforms division with a new margin lending and at-call investment offering aimed at advisers and their clients. Geopolitical risks are increasingly encroaching on traditional market cycles, forcing investors to make sense of these "jungle times" where anything goes, according to an economist. Videos. Further Reading