"Over a decade on the frontline with clients and advisers has shaped how we think about advice, lending, investments and the overall client experience. We're not interested in consolidation and scale for its own sake. The test is whether it makes the business better for clients and our people."
In his first update as sole CEO, Raamy Shahien has outlined the next phase for Viridian and what it means for clients, the team and the Viridian community.
Entering its second decade, and following TA Associates’ strategic investment in 2025, Viridian is focused on growth that is purposeful rather than simply being bigger.
The next phase, Raamy says, is about translating the trust, scale and experience built over the past decade into stronger, simpler outcomes, making it easier for Australians to navigate and access advice, lending and investment solutions in one place.
Building for long-term growth
Financial advice remains at the heart of Viridian’s strategy. More than nine advisers have recently completed their professional year, and the group continues to recruit businesses and advisers who want to be part of something bigger than themselves. Viridian has integrated more than 20 businesses over the past decade and will continue to pursue selective acquisitions and partnerships that strengthen its presence and capabilities across Australia.
The group now looks after more than $11 billion across its advice and lending businesses. Alongside this, Infinity, Viridian’s investment offering, continues to grow, with more than $6 billion in funds under management and an expanding adviser base within and beyond the network.
Raising the bar for advice
Raamy is clear that growth alone is not enough, and that the advice industry itself needs to evolve. Viridian’s focus is on enabling advisers more effectively through technology and simpler processes, with the goal of making the client experience less complex and more accessible.
He also points to a shift in mindset that he believes will define the next chapter for the industry, moving from a reactive client relationship to a genuinely proactive one.
“I think that’s the biggest change that we can all make as an industry that will impact people’s confidence in the execution and delivery of advice. So rather than seeing your clients once, twice or four times a year depending on an arrangement, actually turning that around and being really proactive on an engagement level, we think that will shift confidence in our industry.”
Backed by strong foundations
Growth at Viridian is underpinned by investment in technology, operating discipline and the culture needed to deliver consistently over time. Viridian’s commitment to Great Place to Work accreditation and ISO 27001 certification reflects the standards the business holds itself to, from how it supports its people to how it manages risk and serves clients.
The Viridian Foundation has also reached a significant milestone, donating more than $1.5 million to the communities it serves since launching in 2018, including more than $675,000 to the Jreissati Pancreatic Cancer Centre at Epworth.
