Top brokers in Qld revealed at Better Business Awards 2023

The ceremony rewarded the leading lights of the broking industry in Queensland, including brokers, business development managers (BDM), loan administrators, and brokerages.

Also championed were those who have provided world-class customer service, mentorship, and community engagement programs, along with thought leaders who are propelling the industry forward.

Over 500 members of the Queensland broking industry attended the awards, networked with their peers, and supported the 129 finalists who battled it out for 19 awards, including the hotly anticipated Broker of the Year award.

Australian stand-up comedian and television and radio presenter Claire Hooper assumed MC duties, providing entertainment and laughter throughout the evening.

Individual awards

This year, Go Mortgage principal mortgage and finance broker Xavier Quenon took home the coveted Broker of the Year award after being named Best Residential Broker earlier in the evening.

Mr Quenon impressed the judges with his well-rounded submission and for leveraging his diversified professional background.

For providing hands-on mentorship and demonstrating a strong element of learning and development in the submission, Success & Broker owner Ruan Burger was named this year’s Mentor of the Year.

Virtus Mortgage Broking Services’ principal lending specialist Travis Carruthers was given the Thought Leader award for using technology efficiently, with judges calling him inspirational.

The Best Regional Broker award was conferred to Wealthfolio Financial Services (Mooloolaba) director and finance strategist Emma Cattermole.

She won praise for achieving two years of significant growth, her demonstrated knowledge of a niche market, superior customer service, and consistent referrals from satisfied clients.

BDMs, loan administrators take centre stage

NAB BDM Karen Francis emerged as Best Lender BDM (Bank) for articulating her value proposition and wins of 2022, her professional approach, stellar results, and strong relationships with her broker clients (demonstrated in the glowing testimonials she provided in her submission).

Bluestone Home Loans senior BDM Heidi Hayward was the recipient of the Best Lender BDM (Non-Bank) award, with judges hailing her results and her consistent efforts to provide education and training, which they said set her apart from her peers.

This year’s Best Aggregator BDM trophy went to Taryn Howe, business implementation coach at Loan Market, for her supportive and collaborative approach to helping brokers win more business. Ms Howe also was the BDM with the most prolific brokers under her remit (who settled the largest dollar volume of loans in the 2022 financial year of any aggregator BDM finalist).

Loan administrators were also recognised, with Mortgage Innovations’ client service manager Courtney Hudson winning the Best Loan Administrator award for demonstrating a range of strong initiatives that she undertook throughout the year and quantifying their impact.

Good customer service in the spotlight

As interest rates rapidly rise in a volatile economic environment, it has never been more essential for brokers to support clients in managing change. As such, the Better Business Awards rewarded those who offered a high calibre of service to their clients.

Kelso Finance Mortgage Brokers’ director and founder Sandy Kelso was given the Best Customer Service (Individual) award for demonstrating a clear understanding of the needs of her clients and market segments.

Judges were equally pleased with Cube Home Loans’ lending consultant and this year’s New Broker of the Year award winner Nevada Matthews. Indeed, they commented that he has a bright future ahead of him and his strong submission met the criteria.

The 2023 Editor’s Choice award in Queensland was given to Aussie senior mortgage specialist Melanie Smith.

The Adviser’s editor Annie Kane said she was impressed with Ms Smith’s dedication to her team, her clients, and to improving financial literacy as well as her commitment to supporting other mobile brokers in their journey.

The final individual category was the Best Finance Broker award, which went to Professional Lending Solutions’ managing director and finance broker Phil Verheijen.

He distinguished himself from his peers for the strong growth in his business and commitment to making a difference in his community.

Group awards

In the group awards, Queensland brokerages were recognised for their hard work and dedication to serving clients during what has been a busy and challenging period.

Cornerstone Home Loans — which is headed by director Tracie Palmer — won the Best Customer Service (Office) award for lodging an excellent submission that demonstrated the company’s efficient use of social media platforms to capture new leads.

Full-service financial services company Cube Central won the Best Boutique Independent Office award for demonstrating genuine points of difference and consciously finding more competitive finance solutions to save money for clients.

Go Mortgage Arundel’s Mr Quenon had another reason to celebrate this year after his brokerage — which is located in the Gold Coast — was named Best Regional Office. Judges noted that the testimonials, clear management principles for the business, and philosophy differentiated Go Mortgage from other finalists.

Southport-based Kelston Capital — which was founded in 2020 — won the Best New Office award for its exceptional start as a new brokerage.

Meanwhile, Aussie Ashgrove (which is headed by Editor’s Choice award winner Ms Smith) added a second trophy to its shelves this year, winning Best Community Engagement Program.

Ms Smith was applauded by the judges for educating children and young mothers on financial literacy as well as being a leading voice and advocate for the broker channel.

Rounding out the group award winners was STAC Capital (headed by managing directors Mark Trayner and Dale Sparke), which was crowned this year’s Best Finance Brokerage (Office).

The brokerage was able to edge out its competitors by illustrating its strong growth story that was led by prioritising the clients’ needs above everything else.

The Adviser would like to congratulate all the winners!

Better Business Summit & Awards continue

After hosting the successful Better Business Summit and Awards in Brisbane, The Adviser will proceed to four other capital cities in Australia throughout March.

The 2023 agenda has been designed to focus on four primary pillars of content to assist brokers with re-engineering their businesses. These include:

• Lead generation
• Operations
• Technology
• Sales

The Better Business Summit 2023 will be held in the following locations:

• Perth, 9 March 2023 at Crown Towers
• Adelaide, 16 March 2023 at the Adelaide Convention Centre
• Sydney, 23 March 2023 at The Star
• Melbourne, 30 March 2023 at Pullman Albert Hotel

Click here to buy tickets to the summit and don’t miss out!

Did you know The Adviser Premium members go for free? Become a Premium member here.

For more information about the 2023 Better Business Summit including speakers and agenda, click here.

[Related: Better Business Summit returns for 10th year in 2023]