A well-known name in Australia’s finance industry, Arun Kumar Abey has been managing people’s wealth and wellbeing for the past 36 years.
Born to parents of Indian-origin in Sri Lanka, the 61-year-old has been awarded a Queen’s Birthday Honour for his significant contribution to the planning sector and to the community.
Speaking to SBS Punjabi, Mr Abey said he’d like to share the ‘great’ honour with his co-workers and the country which presented him with the opportunities.
“It is a great honour to be recognised on the list. I think it’s the success of the business, the team behind it, the philanthropic work and also Australia for providing the opportunities,” Mr Abey told SBS Punjabi.
Mr Abey forayed into the planning industry when he established ipac in 1983, a ‘modern’ financial advice and management firm that went on to become one of the largest in its field in the country.
Since its inception, the multifaceted entrepreneur has won many accolades and authored a best-selling book apart from fulfilling his commitment towards helping the underprivileged.
He is currently serving as the chairman of Walsh Bay Partners, dedicated to providing services to families and endowments.
But it is his humanitarian efforts that now act as his main driver.
“We have been supporting medical research, education and also performing arts and culture. I have been working in these areas for many years and to continue this work is fundamentally important to me,” said Mr Abey.
In a message to migrants from the South Asian community, Mr Abey advised that one must learn to ‘explore and embrace’ the endless opportunities this land has to offer.
“People from the Indo-Lankan background should not limit them to what is offered back home. Once here, they must seize the opportunities, and must not forget to channelize them to make a difference in the society, he advised.
