The FBAA has expanded its executive leadership team, appointing two senior specialists and promoting two existing leaders.
The Finance Brokers Association of Australia (FBAA) has expanded its executive leadership bench, appointing two senior specialists and promoting two existing leaders as it positions itself for its next phase of growth.
The changes come as the FBAA seeks to strengthen the leadership capacity behind its financial management, professional standards, digital agenda, and commercial strategy areas, following a period of change at the top of the association.
CPA-qualified finance executive Cara Hayward has joined the FBAA as chief financial officer, taking responsibility for the association’s financial strategy.
Hayward brings experience leading finance functions and supporting commercial decision making across Australian businesses.
Before joining the FBAA, Hayward was head of finance at Professionals Real Estate, a real estate network and membership group, and previously served as CFO of LPC Australia and New Zealand, a commercial real estate advisory firm.
Nancy Sundar has also joined the executive team as head of quality assurance and compliance.
Sundar will oversee the FBAA’s compliance and professional standards framework, drawing on more than 19 years of global experience spanning governance, risk, compliance, quality assurance, and information security in highly regulated sectors.
FBAA CEO Leo Gagic said the expanded structure reflected an investment in the association’s future and in the services and support it provides to members.
“At a time when brokers are playing an increasingly important role in helping Australians achieve their financial goals, it is critical that the FBAA continues to invest in the people, systems and capabilities that will support our members both today and into the future,” Gagic said.
Digital and commercial focus
The association has also elevated two existing executives into broader leadership roles.
Kirrily Jones, formerly the FBAA’s general manager of operations, has been promoted to chief digital and innovation officer, leading the association’s digital transformation and innovation agenda.
Joanna James has meanwhile moved from chief development officer to chief commercial officer and will be responsible for commercial strategy and partnerships.
Gagic said the combined experience of the enlarged executive group would give the FBAA greater depth across its core functions as the association moves through its next stage.
“We have a highly capable leadership team with the experience, energy and vision required to help guide the association through its next phase,” he said.
“Their combined expertise will enhance our ability to advocate for brokers and respond to the changing needs of our industry.”
The appointments further consolidate the FBAA’s leadership structure following both Gagic’s appointment as CEO and former federal senator Nick Sherry’s appointment as independent chairperson in early June.
Those moves followed the resignation of long-serving managing director Peter White AM after more than two decades with the association, as well as the earlier departure of former chairman Brett Spencer.
[Related: Broker associations press Senate to improve mortgage market barriers]
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