Peter Thornhill

Peter Thornhill has spent over 50 years in the financial services industry, making him one of Australia's most experienced voices on wealth creation and investing. As the principal of Motivated Money, Peter has delivered thousands of presentations to investors from all walks of life, equipping them with the knowledge to make informed decisions about their financial futures. Known for his straightforward, yet entertaining approach, Peter believes in helping people achieve their financial dreams in a "very boring way", by choosing the safety and security of the share market over the perceived safety of term deposits. This counterintuitive philosophy has captivated audiences across Australia and sparked many to rethink their approach to wealth building.

Educated in Melbourne, Peter’s career began with one of Australia’s leading insurance companies. In 1971, he moved to London to work as a private client investment adviser for a merchant bank, before joining one of the UK’s largest unit trust groups in 1982. There, he was appointed a Director in 1984. After returning to Australia in 1988, Peter built a reputation for his expertise in wealth creation, working closely with some of the country’s most successful managed funds and financial institutions. His deep knowledge of investment strategies and market dynamics has made him a trusted consultant and highly sought-after speaker.

Peter’s presentations have become legendary for their no-nonsense assault on popular financial wisdom. He argues that share markets are driven more by collective human behaviour than by logical cause-and-effect patterns, and that market volatility is not a true measure of risk. Instead, he advocates for long-term investing as the most reliable way to tap into the market’s potential. He also challenges the concept of market "crashes", explaining that temporary market fluctuations are not as dangerous as they are often made out to be, and warns that looking backward at past performance can damage future wealth.

In addition to his work as a speaker, Peter is also the author of a book on investing that encourages individuals to take control of their financial futures. Although self-published and without traditional distribution, the book has sold over 40,000 copies, reflecting the strong appeal of his practical, no-frills approach to investing. A recognised financial commentator in both print and electronic media, Peter’s insights continue to influence and inspire investors across the country.