About the You First Financial Group
Most people don't come to a financial advisor because something isn't working.
They come because they are entering a life transition, and they need guidance.
At the You First Financial Group, we help bring clarity to your situation so your decisions are not just sound, but aligned with where you want to go.
How We Work
Tax, mortgages, super and investments are all managed separately. But in reality, they are all interrelated. You can’t make a decision in one area that doesn’t affect another.
Our role as advisors is to step back with you, look at the big picture, and map out your holistic life strategy. Your work, your family, your business, and what you are building over time.
As part of our financial planning work, we bring everything together into one coherent strategy.
It is not about adding complexity. It is about removing it.
So you can move forward knowing your decisions are working together, not pulling in different directions.
“Our mantra is, always start with the end in mind.“
We call this our One Stop Desk™ approach.
Cecil Grimmer
Founder & Chief
Cecil Grimmer's Story
There is a saying in farming: “Stop and start again.”
It is something Cecil has lived more than once. Before founding You First, his path moved through research, banking, and accounting. But it was not his career that shaped his perspective. It was what he lost.
Years ago, Cecil had built a thriving farming life in Africa until political instability forced his family to leave it all behind and start again in Australia. Experiences like that change how you think about risk, progress, and what actually matters.
Today, Cecil works with people who have built something solid – careers, businesses, families – but who know there is more to consider beneath the surface. Not because they have made poor decisions. But because those decisions have not yet been brought together into a clear direction.
His role is simple. To help people step back, see the bigger picture, and move forward with clarity.
The You First Philosophy
Most financial planning focuses on individual pieces. We focus on the whole. Because without a clear sense of direction, even good decisions can take you somewhere unintended.
At You First, we begin with a simple question:
There is a saying in farming: “Stop and start again.”
From there, we help you understand what is working, what may be missing, and how each decision fits into the bigger picture. We describe this as finding the “song in your heart”
It’s our way of understanding what really matters to you beneath the numbers. When that is clear, making life decisions becomes simpler.
Our Team
It is important to us that you feel supported across every part of your financial life, not passed from one specialist to another.
While Cecil leads the strategic direction, our whole team supports clients holistically across financial planning, tax, lending, and structuring so that everyone is working together towards the big picture.
As You First continues to grow, so does the team around him.
Cecil Grimmer
CTA, CFP, MIPA, FTIA, SSA, BSc (Hons) Lond
Cecil is the founder of the You First Financial Group and a highly qualified financial strategist with more than 35 years of experience and qualifications across tax, accounting, SMSFs, and financial planning. Drawing on a global career that began in agricultural management and international banking, Cecil brings a rare depth of experience to every client relationship.
He helps clients create clear, purpose‑driven financial strategies that support the life they truly want. His focus is simple: your life aspirations should lead the way.
Lucia Grimmer
BSc MSc
Tertiary degree qualified, Lucia brings a diverse professional background and more than 12 years’ experience in the financial services industry.
She began her career in the agricultural sector, working across specialist research, consultancy, product development, farming, horticulture and agronomy. This hands-on experience shaped her ability to analyse complex situations, think strategically and deliver practical outcomes — skills she continues to bring to the business today.
Also qualified as a real estate agent, Lucia provides practical support and guidance across salary packaging, mortgages and the broader operations of the business.
Xiaolu (Lulu) Lu.
Certified Practising Accountant (CPA) with over a decade of experience in accounting and taxation, Lulu commenced her career in 2013. She has developed a strong expertise in providing practical and reliable solutions to small businesses, investment trusts and SMSFs.
Lulu is passionate about helping clients not only meet their obligations but also achieve long-term financial success through strategic planning and informed decision-making.
Outside of work, Lulu enjoys planting succulents, attending church, camping, and spending quality time with family and friends.
Jinsha (Sandy) Ren
A dedicated Tax Accountant with a strong background in tax advisory and compliance, Sandy brings both international education and hands-on industry experience to her role. Prior to her current position, she worked as a Tax Consultant for a well know tax business, where she developed a solid foundation in individual and small business taxation.
Sandy holds a Finance related degree from the United Kingdom and further strengthened her expertise by completing an accounting diploma in Australia. She is currently advancing her professional qualifications by undertaking a Tax Agent course, reflecting her commitment to staying up to date with evolving tax regulations and best practices.
Known for her attention to detail and client-focused approach, Sandy is passionate about helping clients navigate complex tax matters with clarity and confidence.
Gaylyn Geall
With over 20 years’ experience in the financial services industry, Gaylyn brings a broad and practical understanding of financial planning, client needs and advice delivery. Her background, which includes a Diploma in Financial Planning, spans investment management and financial planning, with experience across operations, compliance, paraplanning and adviser support.
Gaylyn works closely with Cecil to support the delivery of high‑quality advice, strong client relationships and smooth day‑to‑day operations, helping ensure clients consistently experience the value of advice. Outside of work, she enjoys staying active, spending time with her dog Benson, and catching up with friends.