Equity Trustees, the Australian investment management firm, has created a new senior role as part of expansion plans for its private wealth services business.

Julie Foster assumes the position of national manager of advice and personal services. In this capacity, she will be responsible for the company's advice services, including aged care advisory and placement, corporate superannuation and personal wealth management. 

Foster brings 20 years of financial services experience to Equity Trustees, having worked at the likes of Tower Australia, Commonwealth Bank, Suncorp and Colonial Limited. She most recently led 4Quadrant, a business consulting and change management firm that specialises in financial services clients. 

The newly created position is in line with preparations for the new Future of Financial Advice reforms, which is scheduled to be mandatory in July 2013. Equity Trustees has around 180 staff across its Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney offices.