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Industry mourns passing of a stalwart

by Jessica Darnbrough11 minute read

The industry has been saddened by the news that one of AFG’s co-founding directors, Bradley McGougan, has passed away.

 Mr McGougan died at the end of last week, following a year-long fight against leukaemia.

Speaking about Mr McGougan’s contribution to the industry, Smartline’s Joe Sirianni said Bradley was a genuine person who had done a great deal for the third party channel.

“I am saddened by the news. Bradley was extremely unique, one of a kind and a real pioneer of the industry who helped shape the broker market as we know it today. A decent person who always had time for you and one who was full of life and full of fun,” he said.

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“He was a genuine person who will be sadly missed.”

Mr Sirianni’s comments were echoed by Aussie’s James Symond, who said Mr McGougan’s contribution to the third party channel had earned him the respect of his peers.

“AFG continues to be an enormous contributor to the third party mortgage channel in Australia. As a founding director, Bradley had earned the respect and admiration of his industry peers over many years. His passing is way too soon and very sad,” he said.

Mortgage Choice’s chief executive officer Michael Russell said he too was deeply saddened by the news.

“Brad will be fondly remembered for co-founding AFG and helping to pioneer our wonderful industry. He was a much respected competitor and a true gentleman who will be sadly missed,” Mr Russell said.

FirstPoint’s Troy Phillips said Mr McGougan was one man who always left a good impression on everyone he met.

“I was a young man when I first met Brad, in business people are a passing parade, he was one that left an impression.  He was bright, humorous and always interested, those things stick with you.  Along with his three mates they had the vision and persistence to build a unique and successful business, AFG.  It was a great journey Brad, definitely not a dress rehearsal.  Rest in peace.”

Mr McGougan’s career in the industry began in the mid-1980s, when he started a successful life insurance and financial planning business.

In 1992, he co-founded Mortgage Monitors which helped to fund AFG, which he co-founded in 1994. In 1997, AFG bought the insurance company Mawson and then on-sold it to Tower in 2002, with Mr McGougan leading the charge in a very successful sale process. In 1998, Mr McGougan co-underwrote Queste communications which became Australia’s number one listing on the ASX that year.

Mr McGougan successfully ran AFG Financial Planning right up until its sale, stepping down only two years ago to the role of non-executive director.

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