CAFBA honours Mike Felton with Service to Industry award

The award was presented to the former MFAA CEO in recognition of his work spearheading the broker association over six years. Mr Felton retired from the position in September of this year, with Anja Pannek taking over as chief. 

CAFBA noted that, during his time as CEO, the mortgage broking industry had faced a number of reviews and challenges including the ASIC remuneration review, the Sedgwick report, the banking royal commission, and associated legislative reforms.

The commercial and asset finance association said that during this time, Mr Felton had taken “proactice steps to ensure that the mortgage broking industry could thrive well into the future, implementing both strong self-regulatory and legislative reforms and producing exceptional industry data to defend the industry”.

“These actions combined with strong advocacy and effective MFAA campaigns gave the association the credibility to be able to push back on inappropriate recommendations and proposed changes when required,” it said.

After bestowing the award, CAFBA CEO, David Gill, added: “CAFBA and the MFAA have a strong working relationship sharing similar values and standards and CAFBA wanted to acknowledge Mike’s significant contribution to the industry.” 

He said that CAFBA looked forward to “continuing this relationship” with the MFAA and new CEO Ms Pannek.

Also honoured with a CAFBA Service to the Industry was the former CEO of the Council of Small Business Organisations Australia (COSBOA), Peter Strong while Graeme Latta was recognised with a Contribution to CAFBA Award and former CAFBA board member and treasurer Ian Elkner became a life member.

Earlier this year, Mr Felton was also made an honorary member of the MFAA in recognition of “outstanding service to the MFAA and the wider industry”, particularly during several years of various regulatory reviews of mortgage broking.

The MFAA noted his “steady hand and strong resolve”, and his work “consistently advocat[ing] on behalf of the industry, leaving no stone unturned in his defence of our members”. 

“And what we are today is an industry that has put in the hard work," the chair said at the time.

[Related: Mike Felton, Donna Beazley bestowed MFAA memberships]