Winners of 2022 Better Business Awards SA/NT crowned!

More than 350 members of the industry were in attendance as they networked with their colleagues and toasted to the successes of over 100 finalists competing to win 19 individual and group awards, with all eyes on who would walk away with the prestigious Broker of the Year award.

The audience was thrilled with the return of Bob Downe (journalist, comedian, and broadcaster Mark Trevorrow) who once again provided the entertainment after assuming hosting duties via live stream last year during lockdowns.

It was a significant night of victory for Rise High Financial Solutions director and mortgage broker James Schulze, who was named this year’s Broker of the Year, after nabbing the Best Residential Broker trophy earlier in the evening.

Mr Schulze was commended for his strong results and demonstrating clear points of difference, and his financial literacy programs.

Adelaide Commercial Finance, South Australia director Jason Boccaccio won the Best Finance Broker award, with the judges acknowledging his significant growth and broad product and service mix.

Representing regional brokers was Hamptons’ Advisory finance broker Sharyn Gommers, who was conferred the Best Regional Broker award this year.

Mobile Mortgage Advice director Nathan Martin was commended for his “solid career beginnings”, winning Best Newcomer at the awards ceremony in Adelaide.

The awards ceremony shone a spotlight on customer service, with Keylend finance specialist Gene Ge emerging as the winner of the Best Customer Service (Individual) award for applying his strong property knowledge and financial industry knowledge to achieve better outcomes for his clients.

He was also lauded for his clever use of social media marketing to grow his business within the South Australian Asian community, which has resulted in his business expanding from business-to-consumer to business-to-business.

Aussie state manager South Australia/Western Australia/NT Corey Drew was this year’s Mentor of the Year, while High Heel Investor managing director Liz Trotter was Thought Leader of the Year, owing to her outstanding commitment to the industry and its members, and her innovative programs.

Meanwhile, Loan Market Norwood client services manager Yvonne Ha was recognised for her consistent support of brokers and great initiatives with the Best Loan Administrator award.

BDMs were also acknowledged for their ongoing support of brokers, with the judges heaping praise on Macquarie Bank BDM and Best Lender BDM (Bank) award winner Maria-Ceres Parreno for her excellent achievements and her commitment to her brokers, which they said have paid dividends.

Suncorp Group BDM Kathryn Skok (who was formerly BDM South Australia/Western Australia/Tasmania at Moula) won the Best Lender BDM (Non-Bank) award for demonstrating collaborative skills, being innovative, and an effective communicator.

The Editor’s Choice award went to Directorial Finance mortgage broker and credit adviser Caroline Mundey in recognition of her work in helping make dreams come true for Australian borrowers and helping improve the financial literacy of South Australian borrowers.

Group awards

Along with recognising individuals for their achievements in the broker sector, the 2022 Better Business Awards program provides the opportunity to applaud brokerages for their business growth, customer services, and community service.

After picking up two trophies during the evening, Mr Schulze’s Rise High Financial Solutions also celebrated double victories, winning both Best Independent Office (more than five brokers) and Best Community Engagement Program.

The brokerage inspired judges by not only fundraising and sponsoring but becoming directly involved with many of the most vulnerable in the community and using its skills to assist the vulnerable population with finding a path to home ownership.

Mr Martin’s Mobile Mortgage Advice picked up the Best Customer Service (Office) trophy for demonstrating stellar results, while Aussie Prospect (headed by principal and finance broker Bechara Boutros) won Best Branded Office for prioritising professional development to drive holistic growth.

The Best Independent Office (five brokers or less) award went to Crown Money SA (helmed by founder and chief executive Scott Parry) this year for achieving strong results for its clients.

In regional Australia, South Australia’s Preferred Finance (Mount Baker) – which is headed by director and owner Aaron Vogt – was named Best Regional Office for providing quality service to an important community, while Protego Finance (run by mortgage broker Ben Gregory) won the Best New Office award.

Congratulations to all of this year’s winners!

Better Business Summit and Awards head west

After concluding the successful summit and awards ceremony in Adelaide the 2022 Better Business Summit and Awards will proceed to Perth next week to arm the broking sector in Western Australia with the knowledge around the latest technological trends.

Themed “Digital Broker”, a variety of speakers will provide brokers with the tools to harness technology, increase efficiencies, and succeed in their businesses.

The Better Business Summit 2022 will be held in the following locations in May and June:

• Perth, 19 May 2022 at Crown Towers
• Melbourne, 2 June 2022 at Crown Towers

Click here to buy tickets to the summit for $249 and make sure you don’t miss out!

Alternatively, attend the summit for FREE by becoming a member of The Adviser. Click here to learn more.

For more information about the 2022 Better Business Summit including speakers and agenda, click here.

[Related: Winners of the Better Business Awards 2022 NSW/ACT celebrated!]