FBAA appoints new board members and fellows

CEO of First Start Mortgage Company Felicity Heffernan has been appointed to the FBAA board and has joined former Yellow Brick Road general manager Clive Kirkpatrick, who was recently appointed as a director of the board.

Ms Heffernan has also joined FBAA chair Tony Carter and company secretary Kim Szigeti, who were both reappointed, and continuing members Steve Rasmussen, Angus Gilkeson and Angelo Lauro.

Commenting of the addition of Ms Heffernan on the FBAA board, FBAA managing director Peter White said she has held past roles with the association, including NSW state councillor and state president.

“Felicity continues the FBAA tradition of ensuring that our board always includes many members with a high level of practical broking knowledge,” Mr White said.

Mr White added that he was pleased to see more diversity on the board, and encouraged other female members to “look at taking an active role within the FBAA as we venture into the years ahead”.

Mr White, who will continue on the board as managing director, extended his thanks to outgoing director Rick Nieuwenhoven for his service and contributions both on the national board and as South Australian state president.

Commenting on Mr Nieuwenhoven's departure, Mr White said: “Rick has retired from the board so he can further focus on his business activities, as his business continues to grow.”

The association has also appointed four new fellows of the FBAA, including Mr Nieuwenhoven, outsource financial CEO Tanya Sale, Compliance One director David Carson and Mike Israel from the National Crime Check (NCC), which is one of the service providers to the FBAA for police checking.

“The newest fellow members have all made significant contributions to the association in the manner in which they have assisted and positively impacted our industry,” Mr White said.

The FBAA also announced that it has issued special commendations from the board to past state president and councillor, Brendan Kurtz, and staff members Phillipa Byrne, Mariah Pires and Josie Taamaletoa, “for going above and beyond for members and the association”.

Special commendations amid a ‘challenging year’

The association said the awards aims to recognise the difficulties of operating and servicing members during the COVID-19 crisis.

“I would like to thank all of those on our board and within the FBAA team for their ongoing work for the association and our industry, and we look forward to a strong 2021 after what has been a tough start to the new decade in 2020,” Mr White said.

[Related: FBAA appoints new board member and state presidents]