MFAA appoints new forum leaders

The National Aggregators Forum, which provides a platform for the larger aggregation groups to “review and discuss key issues facing the industry as a whole and to assist the MFAA in dealing with challenges, formulating positions and considering potential solutions and their consequences”, will now be led by Stephen Moore.

Mr Moore – who heads up the PLAN, Choice, FAST (PCF) brands of the Loan Market Group – takes over the position of president from Anja Pannek (formerly of Loan Market Group).

Gerald Foley of nMB was elected as deputy president, replacing AFG’s Mark Hewitt (who recently joined the MFAA board).  

“I appreciate the support of fellow aggregator heads for me to lead the forum as president,” Mr Moore said. 

“There are important matters we still need to work through as an industry to evolve our profession and ensure sustainability well into the future. Leadership comes with responsibility and I look forward to making a significant contribution working with the MFAA.”

The National Lenders Forum, which comprises 14 lender members (including the big four banks), will continue to be headed up by Mark Middleton, head of third-party distribution at Teachers Mutual Bank.

Darren McLeod, the head of third party at Beyond Bank, has replaced BOQ’s Kathy Cummings as deputy president. 

“I look forward to another year of working with the forum, whilst also representing lenders, to ensure a stronger outcome for the broker industry overall,” Mr Middleton commented. 

The National Equipment & Commercial Finance Forum, which covers relevant issues affecting the sector and promotes training and education for finance brokers, has re-elected Judo Bank’s managing director of third party, George Obeid, as president.

The forum has also elected its first female deputy president to the forum, as Mhairi Macleod of Astute Ability Group, replaces Pepper Money’s head of commercial, Mal Withers.

Mr Obeid commented: “The E&CF Forum have an important mandate to deliver on behalf of MFAA members and we are committed to fostering greater diversification into commercial and equipment finance, through training and development, education and insights across the finance broking industry.”  

The National Compliance & Regulatory Forum, established for members to share experiences, knowledge and intelligence on compliance and regulatory matters, will continue to be led by AFG’s compliance manager, Shirley Elliot.

The Lendi Group’s general manager for risk and compliance, Don Campbell, has taken over as deputy president of the forum, replacing Tim Donahoo, formerly of MoneyQuest (and currently the head of credit operations at Fundo Loans).

Ms Elliot stated: “The various MFAA Forums are a great way for different parts of our industry to collaborate and develop initiatives that are of benefit to our industry and MFAA members. 

“Over the coming year I am looking forward to working with the members of the Forum and the MFAA to look at ways to develop solutions, simplify compliance and manage existing and new regulations.”

Meanwhile, the National Mortgage Managers Forum (which provides a platform for mortgage managers to review and discuss issues facing the industry and to assist the MFAA in dealing with relevant challenges impacting the sector) will be led by Mortgage Mart’s Doug Daniell.

Mr Daniell, who was previously deputy president, takes over the role of president from Joanna James of Mortgage Ezy. 

Mick Conyngham from Mortgage Ezy was elected as the new deputy president.  

Mr Daniell stated: “It is exciting to be a part of an MFAA Forum, comprised of mortgage manager representatives which continues to support the industry we are passionate about and its future.”

‘Privileged to again have such a wealth of experience’

Noting the newly elected leaders, outgoing MFAA chief executive Mike Felton commented: “I would like to thank our outgoing Presidents and Deputy Presidents for their time, effort and commitment to the Forums over the past year and to welcome those that have been elected to fill these important roles going forward. 

“We are privileged to again have such a wealth of experience in these key roles for the coming year.”

Mr Felton also thanked all forum members for their participation in the advisory forums.  

“We greatly appreciate the time and effort invested and the opportunity to engage with our forum members in order to consider significant issues and discuss potential solutions to challenges facing the entire industry,” he concluded.

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