Grafton Financial Planners | Invest Blue
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Across QLD, NSW, ACT, TAS and VIC, we are here for you. No matter where you are in life's journey or what your dreams are, we can help. Invest Blue works hard to get to know you so your strategy offers you the best chance to achieve your dreams. It's possible.
HomeILocationsIGrafton

Grafton

1A King Street, Grafton NSW 2460

phone: 1300 346 837

fax: 1300 546 837

Financial Services Guide

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1A King Street, Grafton NSW 2460

the Grafton office

Invest Blue provides Financial Advice in Grafton, NSW, on a regular basis by appointment. Our office is located conveniently on King Street.

We are equipped with a strong team of Financial Planners, as well as a dedicated Lending team who support advice and strategy development for those looking for home or investment mortgages. Our Financial Planners are backed by a knowledgeable Advice team who support the development of individual strategies as well as dedicated Relationship Managers who work hard every day keeping in touch with our clients. If you are interested in having a chat, get in touch and we will work out the best way to get you started.

MTA logo updated 2016-2023 - Invest Blue

the Grafton team

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Ben Warren
Ben Warren
Financial Adviser CFP, Head of Strategy & High Performance, Partner

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"The dynamics of the financial services industry really appeal to me. Helping the mums & dads of Australia achieve their goals & objectives whilst supporting them through the complexities of ever changing legislation is very rewarding."

Ben, originally from the Tweed Coast in northern NSW studied at the University of New England in Armidale and moved to Coffs Harbour for his role as a Financial Planner with Invest Blue.

Ben is responsible for the day-to-day running of the Coffs Harbour/Grafton team ensuring clients receive a high standard of advice and overseeing internal training and development of staff.

Ben loves spending time with his wife and three daughters and has recently completed the Future2 Wheel Classic from Melbourne to Adelaide - helping raise funds for kids in need.  He is passionate about all sports, in particular rugby. One day Ben would like to complete the New York Marathon.

Areas of specialisation

  • Wealth creation strategies
  • Debt and cash-flow management strategies
  • Risk insurance strategies
  • Retirement planning strategies
  • Self-Managed Superannuation Funds

Qualifications

  • Certified Financial Planner (CFP)
  • Bachelor of Commerce
  • Bachelor of Law
  • Advanced Diploma of Financial Services (Financial Planning)
  • Diploma of Financial Services (Financial Planning)
  • Self-managed Superannuation Funds Accreditation
  • Certificate IV in Mortgage Broking
  • Justice of the Peace Commissioned for Declarations Department of Justice NSW
  • Most Trusted Adviser designation; Beddoes Institute

Memberships

  • Financial Planning Association of Australia
  • Finance Brokers Association of Australia

 

Hear from Ben's clients:

A blissful retirement

Putting the pieces back together after a workplace injury

Deeds please

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"The dynamics of the financial services industry really appeal to me. Helping the mums & dads of Australia achieve their goals & objectives whilst supporting them through the complexities of ever changing legislation is very rewarding."

Ben, originally from the Tweed Coast in northern NSW studied at the University of New England in Armidale and moved to Coffs Harbour for his role as a Financial Planner with Invest Blue.

Ben is responsible for the day-to-day running of the Coffs Harbour/Grafton team ensuring clients receive a high standard of advice and overseeing internal training and development of staff.

Ben loves spending time with his wife and three daughters and has recently completed the Future2 Wheel Classic from Melbourne to Adelaide - helping raise funds for kids in need.  He is passionate about all sports, in particular rugby. One day Ben would like to complete the New York Marathon.

Areas of specialisation

  • Wealth creation strategies
  • Debt and cash-flow management strategies
  • Risk insurance strategies
  • Retirement planning strategies
  • Self-Managed Superannuation Funds

Qualifications

  • Certified Financial Planner (CFP)
  • Bachelor of Commerce
  • Bachelor of Law
  • Advanced Diploma of Financial Services (Financial Planning)
  • Diploma of Financial Services (Financial Planning)
  • Self-managed Superannuation Funds Accreditation
  • Certificate IV in Mortgage Broking
  • Justice of the Peace Commissioned for Declarations Department of Justice NSW
  • Most Trusted Adviser designation; Beddoes Institute

Memberships

  • Financial Planning Association of Australia
  • Finance Brokers Association of Australia

 

Hear from Ben's clients:

A blissful retirement

Putting the pieces back together after a workplace injury

Deeds please

Tom Merrick
Tom Merrick
Financial Adviser, Team Manager, Partner

"The greatest satisfaction is helping clients to make smart decisions by breaking down the financial jargon and providing strategic advice that’s easy to understand."

Tom is a financial advisor based in Coffs Harbour, where he was born and raised. He joined Invest Blue Coffs Harbour in 2015, and the firm currently serves more than 600 clients in the mid-north coast area.

Tom has a strong educational background and recently completed his Masters in financial advice. One of his strengths is his ability to provide clients with technical advice while also simplifying complex strategies for easy understanding.

Outside of his professional life, Tom enjoys spending time with his wife Jodi, and their two children. He is also passionate about sports and enjoys playing golf, tennis, and AFL.

Areas of Specialisation:
• SMSF
• Transition to Retirement strategies
• Debt and Cashflow Management
• Superannuation
• Tax minimization strategies

Qualifications:
• Master of financial planning
• Diploma Financial Services (Financial Planning)
• Advanced Diploma Financial Services (Financial Planning)
• Graduate Diploma (Financial Planning)
• FASEA (Financial Adviser Exam)

"The greatest satisfaction is helping clients to make smart decisions by breaking down the financial jargon and providing strategic advice that’s easy to understand."

Tom is a financial advisor based in Coffs Harbour, where he was born and raised. He joined Invest Blue Coffs Harbour in 2015, and the firm currently serves more than 600 clients in the mid-north coast area.

Tom has a strong educational background and recently completed his Masters in financial advice. One of his strengths is his ability to provide clients with technical advice while also simplifying complex strategies for easy understanding.

Outside of his professional life, Tom enjoys spending time with his wife Jodi, and their two children. He is also passionate about sports and enjoys playing golf, tennis, and AFL.

Areas of Specialisation:
• SMSF
• Transition to Retirement strategies
• Debt and Cashflow Management
• Superannuation
• Tax minimization strategies

Qualifications:
• Master of financial planning
• Diploma Financial Services (Financial Planning)
• Advanced Diploma Financial Services (Financial Planning)
• Graduate Diploma (Financial Planning)
• FASEA (Financial Adviser Exam)

Nick Grady
Nick Grady
Financial Adviser, Partner

"As Financial Planners, we are in the privileged position of making a difference to people’s lives. Providing the necessary guidance that impacts someone’s life for the better, is extremely satisfying.”

Nick grew up in Wagga Wagga NSW, before spending time in Sydney and settling with his family on the Coffs Coast. Nick joined the Invest Blue team in April of 2020 bringing with him extensive experience in the financial services industry.

Nick has completed his CFP studies and has the Certified Financial Planner CFP® designation, holds a Bachelor of Business (Accounting) degree, Diploma of Financial Planning, Certificate IV in Mortgage Broking and is a Justice of the Peace. He is also a member of the Financial Planning Association of Australia (FPA).

Nick is an avid sports supporter and enjoys all sports, especially rugby union, league, AFL, cycling and cricket. Outside of work he enjoys the outdoors, reading and relaxing with his family.

Areas of specialisation

  • Wealth creation strategies
  • Superannuation accumulation
  • Retirement Planning
  • Social Security (Age Pension)
  • Personal Insurance
  • Business Insurance
  • Aged Care
  • Budgeting and cashflow management

Memberships and Associations

  • Financial Planning Association of Australia

Qualifications

  • Certified Financial Planner CFP®
  • Bachelor of Business (Accounting)
  • Diploma of Financial Planning
  • Certificate IV in Mortgage Broking
  • Justice of the Peace
  • Most Trusted Adviser 2023

"As Financial Planners, we are in the privileged position of making a difference to people’s lives. Providing the necessary guidance that impacts someone’s life for the better, is extremely satisfying.”

Nick grew up in Wagga Wagga NSW, before spending time in Sydney and settling with his family on the Coffs Coast. Nick joined the Invest Blue team in April of 2020 bringing with him extensive experience in the financial services industry.

Nick has completed his CFP studies and has the Certified Financial Planner CFP® designation, holds a Bachelor of Business (Accounting) degree, Diploma of Financial Planning, Certificate IV in Mortgage Broking and is a Justice of the Peace. He is also a member of the Financial Planning Association of Australia (FPA).

Nick is an avid sports supporter and enjoys all sports, especially rugby union, league, AFL, cycling and cricket. Outside of work he enjoys the outdoors, reading and relaxing with his family.

Areas of specialisation

  • Wealth creation strategies
  • Superannuation accumulation
  • Retirement Planning
  • Social Security (Age Pension)
  • Personal Insurance
  • Business Insurance
  • Aged Care
  • Budgeting and cashflow management

Memberships and Associations

  • Financial Planning Association of Australia

Qualifications

  • Certified Financial Planner CFP®
  • Bachelor of Business (Accounting)
  • Diploma of Financial Planning
  • Certificate IV in Mortgage Broking
  • Justice of the Peace
  • Most Trusted Adviser 2023

Michael Brear
Michael Brear
Financial Adviser

“I am looking forward to joining Invest Blue, a team and business that is passionate about its clients and their dreams and goals, as I am also passionate about helping clients achieve their goals.”

Michael joined Invest Blue in 2021 as a Financial Adviser. Before joining Invest Blue, Michael has been in the finance industry since age 17 (two weeks after finishing HSC!). He has worked at a leading bank for 16 years in several roles, from Bank Teller to Branch Manager to a Financial Planner. More recently, feeling like he needed a change, Michael joined a smaller family-run financial planning firm on the Coffs Coast, and he has loved it.

Michael has two children, 20 and 16 (who just got his L’s), loves all sports and still plays competitive soccer and social squash once a week. He also loves walks on the beach with his partner and dog, as well as eating out.

Qualifications and Professional Accreditations

  • Diploma of Financial Planning
  • Most Trusted Adviser 2023

 

“I am looking forward to joining Invest Blue, a team and business that is passionate about its clients and their dreams and goals, as I am also passionate about helping clients achieve their goals.”

Michael joined Invest Blue in 2021 as a Financial Adviser. Before joining Invest Blue, Michael has been in the finance industry since age 17 (two weeks after finishing HSC!). He has worked at a leading bank for 16 years in several roles, from Bank Teller to Branch Manager to a Financial Planner. More recently, feeling like he needed a change, Michael joined a smaller family-run financial planning firm on the Coffs Coast, and he has loved it.

Michael has two children, 20 and 16 (who just got his L’s), loves all sports and still plays competitive soccer and social squash once a week. He also loves walks on the beach with his partner and dog, as well as eating out.

Qualifications and Professional Accreditations

  • Diploma of Financial Planning
  • Most Trusted Adviser 2023

 

Simone Wills
Simone Wills
Relationship Manager

“I love helping people and seeing them smile. I also enjoy meeting people and enjoy working with our diverse mix of clients at Invest Blue.”

Simone joined Invest Blue in January 2020 as a Relationship Manager in the Coffs Office, after having worked for Moore Stephens for four-and-a-half years as an Administration Assistant.

Simone was born in Coffs Harbour. She is a third-generation farmer of the region in beef cattle, and on her family farm, they have also started grafting avocado trees three years ago. Simone is a busy lady, as aside from working for Invest Blue and farming, she has three children, Jorja, Tayla and Aidan, with her partner of 20 years Adam.

In her spare time, she enjoys the outdoors, camping, bushwalking, horse riding, and spending time with her cherished family and friends.

“I love helping people and seeing them smile. I also enjoy meeting people and enjoy working with our diverse mix of clients at Invest Blue.”

Simone joined Invest Blue in January 2020 as a Relationship Manager in the Coffs Office, after having worked for Moore Stephens for four-and-a-half years as an Administration Assistant.

Simone was born in Coffs Harbour. She is a third-generation farmer of the region in beef cattle, and on her family farm, they have also started grafting avocado trees three years ago. Simone is a busy lady, as aside from working for Invest Blue and farming, she has three children, Jorja, Tayla and Aidan, with her partner of 20 years Adam.

In her spare time, she enjoys the outdoors, camping, bushwalking, horse riding, and spending time with her cherished family and friends.

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