We are client-focused, results-driven, and passionate about achieving the outcomes that will help you to attain your goals. We are genuine in our approach and dedicated to giving you advice that will save time, reduce stress and positively impact your life. We are experts in financial strategy, UK Pension Transfers (when possible), Superannuation, insurance, investments, and we have a trusted network of relevant professionals on hand to assist you with all financial aspects of your life. Our clients come to us almost exclusively via referrals and recommendations. We take pride in empowering them with the knowledge, direction, and clarity to take control of their money, and we genuinely enjoy working with them.

In 2010, when Scott Dawkins was named Advisor of the Year in the UK, the trophy he won depicted two Griffins, which were key to inspiring the name Griffin Financial Services. 

In Greek mythology, the Griffin is a powerful, legendary creature with the head and wings of an eagle and the body of a lion. It is known as a guardian of treasure and priceless possessions and recognized for its loyalty and far-sightedness. 

With a career in financial advice spanning more almost two decade and a raft of international experience, there’s a reason Scott Dawkins has numerous accolades to his name. Simply, he is passionate about his work and dedicated to making a difference. Being a financial adviser allows him to combine his considerable technical expertise with his affinity for dealing with people from all walks of life.

Raised in South Australia, Scott finished his tertiary education in Adelaide, including a year in Canada. From there, he moved to London where he worked as a financial planner for Welbeck Wealth Management, rising through the ranks over seven years to become a Senior Partner. He was twice recognised as Financial Planner of the Year within his dealer group of over 3000 advisers.

Since then, he has been named a top 10 finalist in the AFA Rising Star in his first year of operation– a testament to the demand for Scott’s expertise as well as recognition of his genuine commitment to providing outstanding and personalised customer care. He was also awarded Guardian’s Rising Star 2013, Guardian’s Professional Excellence Award 2014, nominated for the AFA Adviser of the Year 2015, and top 3 finalist in Fortnum’s Adviser of the year in 2018, and 2019 (with no award granted in 2020)

While Scott has a vast knowledge of all aspects of financial planning, his long-term involvement in the UK’s Financial Services sector has given him a complex understanding of British financial matters, as well as sought-after specialisation in relation to the transfer of pension funds. Such is his technical expertise in this area that Scott has written articles for the professional development of other advisers.

As director of Griffin Financial Services, Scott takes a hands-on approach, managing his growing business and providing financial advice for clients. His overarching objective is to guide his clients to achieve financial outcomes that directly correlate with their goals. His genuine desire to help others extends beyond the professional realm.

Scott has a genuine empathy for people and understands the profound impact of loss. The sudden passing of his father when Scott was eight years old, and the loss of his brother to cancer five years later, are events that have shaped Scott’s life in ways he could never have imagined. As a result, he has been heavily involved with CanTeen, the Australian organisation for young people living with cancer, and was a valued board member for six years, two of which he provided leadership as Chairman.

Scott remains committed to CanTeen amongst other charities and has raised over $40,000 since founding Griffin through various means including fundraising for The North Face 100 a grueling 100km course in the Blue Mountains and twice in Oxfam Trailwalker. He is a devoted father of four, a coach of his son’s AFL team, a keen snowboarder, scuba diver and trail runner.

Scott’s natural leadership abilities, keen intelligence, compassion and deep personal commitment to his clients are qualities that make him the ideal financial planner. He takes great pleasure in sharing his knowledge so he can enable his clients to reach their goals, and realise their financial potential.

Sean has been working in the Financial Planning industry since 2001. Prior to Griffin, Sean worked in boutique, medium-sized and institutional financial planning firms, including being an owner and director of an integrated Financial Planning and Accounting firm for over 20 years.

His passion is providing client-focused strategic financial advice and helping people make financial and lifestyle decisions. Sean has particular interests in assisting people in estate planning and family law matters.

Sean believes that money is a ‘tool’ to help you do what you want in life and when it comes to managing it, you need to get the basics right – i.e. save it, grow it, protect it and enjoy it. He understands that everyone is busy and makes managing finances easy for his clients, allowing them to focus on what’s important to them and what they’re good at.

Sean’s initial process involves discussing client’s needs, evaluating the options, deciding on a course/s of action and building a financial plan around that. Sean enjoys helping clients to make big decisions in life, which often involves preparing financial projections and discussing multiple ‘what if’ scenarios to assess the potential financial (and lifestyle) impacts of the choices people make.

To make his client’s lives even easier, Sean helps manage their finances on an ongoing basis, including handling as much of the ‘paperwork’ as possible and managing the services of other professionals such as Accountants, Lawyers/Solicitors and Finance Brokers to ensure that all his client’s professional service requirements are met.

Sean maintains a regular disciplined approach to ongoing education to ensure that he stays on top of the everchanging legislative landscape and his knowledge of investment markets. He is also constantly exploring cutting-edge strategies to deliver to his clients.

Sean lives in Sydney and enjoys spending time with his family and friends. He leads an active lifestyle and tries to spend as much (non-working) time as possible outdoors.

Sean is a member of the Financial Advice Association of Australia and a Justice of the Peace.

Josh has a passion for helping clients achieve their goals and protecting their wealth through tailored financial advice.

He has been working in the Financial Services Industry for over 8 years since completing his Bachelor of Commerce majoring in Finance and Financial Planning in 2013. Josh initially joined a boutique financial planning firm providing investment advice to high net worth individuals. There he developed a passion for financial planning and an ability to connect with clients to ultimately work together to achieve the financial security they desire. He then joined a large financial services company focusing on holistic financial planning advice where he worked for 3 and a half years before joining Griffin Financial Services in 2019.

Josh lives in Sydney’s Southern Suburbs with his wife and two children. In his spare time he follows the NRL closely as an avid Cronulla Sharks supporter. He is also a keen motorbike rider when he gets a chance between family duties.

Kate has joined the Griffin Financial Services team after graduating from Wollongong University with a Bachelor of Commerce. She joins our team with a year’s experience as a Client Services Officer and is now eager to work within our team towards becoming a Financial Adviser.

After growing up in Northern NSW, Kate moved to Wollongong for university in 2017 and then more recently moving to Sydney’s Southern Suburbs following the completion of her studies as she joined the Griffin Team.

After graduating with a Bachelor of Mathematics and Finance from the University of Wollongong, Louisa started working as a Paraplanner and after almost 10 years transitioned into a more client-facing role as an Associate.

Louisa loves working more closely with clients in this role and seeing how sound advice impacts them as a person, as we work to help them achieve their financial and lifestyle goals. She also believes however, that her paraplanning background affords an invaluable and unique perspective of the ‘numbers’ side of the advice.

Louisa lives in Sydney’s Southern Suburbs with her husband and son. She is an avid tennis fan, loves going for hikes, and cooking and baking.

Through the creation of and reviewing processes, Matet has a keen eye for detail and ensuring things happen accurately and efficiently. She is an incredibly valued member of the team.

She is a graduate of a Bachelor of Secondary Education with a Major in Mathematics acquired in the Philippines and has a Diploma of Financial Planning from Monarch Institute.

Before moving to Australia Matet worked in the financial planning industry for an outsourcing business, moving from admin support to Team Leader and eventually Paraplanning Manager through her 7 years. Prior to that, she spent a year as a private school teacher.

Matet worked with us in the Philippines for 6 years prior to her moving and settling in Australia. She’s rejoined our team locally in Australia early in 2020. Matet has been incredibly versatile in that time and currently runs our paraplanning team.

Jenny loves to help people and make sure they have trust in what we do.  She loves to be kept busy and making sure that everything is run efficiently and in the best interests of clients.

Jenny has been working in various arms of the financial services industry for over 25 years both boutique and international firms.  Prior to working in the financial services industry, Jenny worked in small companies managing the day-to-day running of these businesses along with setting up processes and procedures along with adopting changes in technology to ensure that everything ran smoothly.  This knowledge along with her passion for finance and helping people assisted in her move to the financial services industry.  Jenny has worked in many roles including personal assistant, accountant, office manager, practice manager and client services manager.

Jenny lives on Sydney’s northern beaches with her husband and two daughters.  In her spare time, Jenny loves to watch her daughters playing sports (AFL, soccer and water polo), reading, going to the beach and exercising – either walks along the beach or attending the gym.  Jenny also likes to volunteer for her daughters’ sporting teams and assists Raise Foundation at their annual fundraising ball.

Rhys has joined us from the UK and holds a degree in Economics from Cardiff University, Rhys began his career as a Trainee Financial Adviser in Swansea, Wales, and later qualified as a UK financial adviser. Over the past four years at Royal Bank of Canada, Rhys managed investment portfolios for Charities, Trusts, Companies, and Individuals, ultimately became a qualified discretionary fund manager.

Rhys is soaking up the sun in the Northern Beaches, where he lives close to friends from the UK. Outside of work, he enjoys the great outdoors—whether playing football (soccer) on the beach, hitting the trails in the Blue Mountains or attempting to surf.

Driven by a passion for empowering clients to make well-informed financial decisions, Rhys is dedicated to implementing strategies that enhance both financial stability and longevity. He loves working closely with clients to ensure a financially secure and prosperous future through actionable, tailored solutions.

Prior to joining Griffin, Marbie worked as an accounting associate in a non-profit accounting and bookkeeping firm based in Idaho, USA.  In this role, she was responsible for preparing financial reports for non-profit organisations, managing fundraising activities and assisting with filing of forms.

Outside of work, Marbie embraces adventures by participating in activities such as trekking and camping.