Major brokerage appoints new Queensland director

Mr Thompson, who in his previous role trained brokers from across Queensland at CBA, joined the company in January 2020 and will now be responsible for driving the individual business growth of brokers at Loan Market.

Mr Thompson spent time as a personal lender during his 19-year career with CBA, where he moved into branch management and then oversaw a mortgage team.

While at CBA, he reportedly assisted loan writers who were writing $30 million transition to the $70-million mark and then to $120 million. He has reportedly helped over 100 businesses change their operations.

The major brokerage said Mr Thompson will likewise support the growth of Loan Market brokers.

Commenting on his appointment, Mr Thompson said that while he worked at CBA, he had had a chance to see some of the technological solutions Loan Market offered to brokers, which he felt delivered a customised solutions for brokers.

“I’m all about building businesses. Loan Market’s tech takes away a lot of the pain brokerages deal with,” Mr Thompson said.

“So, from my perspective, I’m going to be able to help businesses realise growth in loan volumes and profitability a lot faster.”

Loan Market executive chairman Sam White welcomed Mr Thompson’s appointment and said he has left a positive impression across many businesses in Queensland.

“He’s a great addition to the Queensland network, which collectively has built exceptionally strong ties and relationships with their customers and referral partners,” Mr White said.

Mr Thompson is an advocate of the Kaizen’s process, a practice of continuous improvement, which he suggested helps map processes, avoids wasteful pursuits and raises productivity.

He said he sits with brokers for anywhere between a day and a week to explore their end-to-end process from when the client makes their first enquiry through to settlement.

“We then look at the roadblocks, eliminate actions and processes that don’t add value, and sometimes even hinder value,” Mr Thompson said, adding the outcomes include writing more loans, increased profitability and improved culture.

Mr White added that believes Loan Market’s brokers would “reap the benefits of Andrew’s Kaizen approach”.

Tim Amourous sets up broking business

Mr Thompson replaces Tim Amourous as Queensland state manager, who has made the move to open his own Loan Market broker business in Brisbane.

Mr Amourous, who has previously worked at NAB, Advantedge and QBank before joining the major brokerage in 2017, said he looked forward to running his own broking business.

“Even though we’ve come through a tumultuous period, I see a lot of growth in the broker sector going forward,” Mr Amourous said. 

“I’ve got a long history with Loan Market and seen how its offering has positioned brokers in the marketplace and created efficiencies in their operations. 

“I’d always had a desire to be my own boss again, and it had to be with Loan Market,” he added.

[Related: Loan Market appoints Westpac group head to leadership team]