Best in the business: The Adviser Better Business Awards 2018

Kicking off in Brisbane on 15 February, and continuing in Adelaide (22 February), Melbourne (1 March), Sydney (8 March) and Perth (15 March), the Better Business Summit 2018 — partnered by NAB — was a day-long event providing brokers with the productivity tools, training and business intelligence they need to build a profitable business.

Brokers heard from stand-up comedian Anh Do, who walked the audience through his journey from a starving refugee at the age of three to a successful commercial lawyer to one of Australia’s most popular entertainers. Mr Do shared today’s must-use tools to turn an uncertain market into bottom line results.

Nigel Dalton, chief inventor at the REA Group, also delivered an entertaining presentation on the evolution of technology, customer expectations in an always-connected world, and how brokers can apply systems thinking to stay ahead of the curve in a rapidly changing technology landscape.

During a panel discussion on how brokers can capitalise on tomorrow’s lending landscape, NAB’s chief economist, Alan Oster, and ANZ’s head of economics, David Plank, conceded that the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority’s lending curbs are here to stay, flagging a strong possibility that more macroprudential measures will be introduced this year.

Meanwhile, founder of Banyan Co Stuart Donaldson revealed his top strategies for fast-tracking growth, outlining what areas of business brokers should be focused on as they progress through the three stages of building a brokerage; and Jason Back, managing director at The Australian Lending & Investment Centre, shared actionable insights on establishing efficient and consistent processes for all business activities.

The Better Business Summit was followed by the Better Business Awards, which recognised the best brokers, business development managers, loan administrators and broking offices across Australia.

QUEENSLAND 
Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre, 15 February

Mark Williams from The Brokerage was crowned Broker of the Year and Best Newcomer for his knowledge of complex residential property scenarios, which enabled him to support his high-net-worth clients with complex property transactions. The broker’s after-sales care was also commended by the judges.

Deslie Taylor of Mortgage Choice Ormeau took home the award for Best Residential Broker, with her personalisation of service recognised as a strong point of difference.

The Rising Star Award went to Renee Tocco of Loanezi, who was commended for her excellent performance in her first few years of broking and for her dedication to supporting charity B1G1 by providing donations for every corporate loan settled.

Madd Loans’ George Samios, who last year took home the awards for Broker of the Year and Best Residential Broker for Queensland, was recognised as Best Innovator for his part in co-creating Trycall, a direct-to-voicemail client management and marketing service.

BEST AGGREGATOR BDM:  Daniel Crowther, AFG	BEST CUSTOMER SERVICE (INDIVIDUAL):  Holly Bertsos Niche Finance
BEST INDEPENDENT OFFICE (LESS THAN 5 BROKERS):  The Savings Centre	BEST NEWCOMER:  Mark Williams, The Brokerage
BEST BRANDED OFFICE:  Mortgage Choice Ormeau	BEST CUSTOMER SERVICE (OFFICE):  Cornerstone Home Loans
BEST LENDER BDM (BANK):  Richard Galvin, Advantedge Financial Services	BEST REGIONAL BROKER:  Matthew Punter, The Savings Centre Moffat Beach
BEST RESIDENTIAL BROKER:  Deslie Taylor, Mortgage Choice Ormeau	BEST FINANCE BROKER:  Matthew Carr MC Mortgage Solutions
BEST LENDER BDM (NON-BANK):  Simon Winters, Prospa	BEST REGIONAL OFFICE:  Go Mortgage Helensvale
BEST INNOVATOR:  George Samios, Madd Loans	RISING STAR:  Renee Tocco Loanezi
BEST LOAN ADMINISTRATOR:  Jodie Henderson, Mortgage Choice Arundel	EDITOR’S CHOICE:  Andrea Kerr, Finance Studio

 

SOUTH AUSTRALIA
Adelaide Convention Centre, 22 February

Keith Caine from Mortgage Choice Glenelg was named South Australia’s Best Residential Broker and Broker of the Year. He was praised by the judges for his commitment to improving the financial literacy of his clients and supporting the local community.

Equatorial Finance Solutions’ Weng Wong won the Best Finance Broker Award for the second year in a row, while Joanne Dillon of Smartline Roxby Downs took home the award for Best Regional Broker once again.

Nani Johnston was named Rising Star this year, clinching the hat trick for Rise High Financial Solutions; while the Best Newcomer award went to Andrew Mudie of Yellow Brick Road Brighton, who was praised by the judges for taking a “comprehensive approach” with his clients, aiming to ensure that they are well informed and fully understanding of the options available to them.

BDMs from AFG, Bank SA and Pepper Money were also honoured for their work.

BEST AGGREGATOR BDM:  Debbie Ettridge, AFG	BEST NEWCOMER:  Andrew Mudie, Yellow Brick Road Brighton
BEST INDEPENDENT OFFICE (LESS THAN 5 BROKERS):  Zest Financial Life	BEST CUSTOMER SERVICE (OFFICE):  Rise High Financial Solutions
BEST BRANDED OFFICE:  Aussie Darwin	BEST NEW OFFICE:  Aussie Darwin
BEST INDEPENDENT OFFICE (5 OR MORE BROKERS):  Go Loans	BEST LOAN ADMINISTRATOR:  Lainie Darams, Go Loans
BEST RESIDENTIAL BROKER: Keith Caine, Mortgage Choice Glenelg	BEST REGIONAL BROKER: Joanne Dillon, Smartline Roxby Downs
BEST LENDER BDM (BANK):  Nic Travar, Bank SA	BEST FINANCE BROKER:  Weng Wong, Equatorial Finance Solutions
BEST COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT PLATFORM:  Rise High Financial Solutions	BEST REGIONAL OFFICE:  Directional Finance
BEST LENDER BDM (NON-BANK):  Natalie Pavlovich, Pepper Money	RISING STAR:  Nani Johnston, Rise High Financial Solutions
BEST CUSTOMER SERVICE (INDIVIDUAL):  Luke Robertson, Private Client Services Australia	EDITOR’S CHOICE:  Evan Sourbis, Henley Home Loans

 

VICTORIA
Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, 1 March

Josh Egan from Astute Melbourne City South/ Gippsland took home two awards: Broker of the Year and Best Finance Broker.

Mark Davis from The Australian Lending & Investment Centre (ALIC), who wrote nearly 1,000 mortgages in 2017 and was crowned the country’s Broker of the Year at the Australian Broking Awards last year, was named Best Residential Broker for the fourth consecutive year.

His brokerage was also recognised as the Best Innovator of the Year.

Sarah Thomson from Loan Market Geelong was named Best Regional Broker, while her brokerage was recognised as Victoria’s Best Regional Office.

Bernard Desmond of Feedback Finance was named Rising Star, and the Best Newcomer Award went to Vikram Kataria from Loan Studio.

BDMs from NAB, PLAN and Pepper Money were also recognised for their work throughout the year.

BEST AGGREGATOR BDM:  Tracey Crevatin, PLAN Australia	BEST CUSTOMER SERVICE (INDIVIDUAL):  Shehan Wijayasinghe, Elephant Financial
BEST INDEPENDENT OFFICE (LESS THAN 5 BROKERS):  Entourage Finance	BEST NEW OFFICE:  Entourage Finance
BEST BRANDED OFFICE:  Loan Market Wyndham	BEST CUSTOMER SERVICE (OFFICE):  My Mortgage Freedom
BEST INDEPENDENT OFFICE (5 OR MORE BROKERS):  Loan Studio	BEST REGIONAL BROKER:  Sarah Thomson, Loan Market Geelong
BEST RESIDENTIAL BROKER:  Mark Davis, The Australian Lending & Investment Centre	BEST LOAN ADMINISTRATOR:  Mark Fulgueras, The Financiers Group
BEST LENDER BDM (BANK):  Sandy Lutersz, NAB	BEST REGIONAL OFFICE:  Loan Market Geelong
BEST INNOVATOR:  The Australian Lending & Investment Centre	BEST FINANCE BROKER:  Josh Egan, Astute Melbourne City South/Gippsland
BEST LENDER BDM (NON-BANK):  Staci Karas, Pepper Money	EDITOR’S CHOICE:  Edwena Dixon, Pinpoint Finance
BEST COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT PLATFORM:  Choice Capital	RISING STAR:  Bernard Desmond, Loan Market
BEST NEWCOMER:  Vikram Kataria, Loan Studio

 

NEW SOUTH WALES
Hyatt Regency Sydney, 8 March

Alex Veljancevski from Eventus Financial was named NSW’s Best Newcomer and Broker of the Year.

The judges praised Mr Veljancevski for his ethical and diligent approach to broking, which was recognised in testimonials from his clients.

Intelligence Finance’s Justin Doobov was named Best Finance Broker for the third consecutive year, while George Giovas from Axius Partners won the award for Best Commercial Broker.

The award for Best Residential Broker went to Daniel Pym from Loan Market Double Bay, who was recognised for his customer service and business strategy.

Zippy Financial Group’s Louisa Sanghera was named Rising Star, and the office was also honoured for running the Best Community Engagement Program for Ms Sanghera’s business network and small business forum, Connect for Success.

BDMs from AFG, ME Bank and Moula were also awarded for their work in supporting brokers.

BEST AGGREGATOR BDM:  Leanne Evans, AFG	BEST LOAN ADMINISTRATOR:  Megan Byrne, PFS Financial Services
BEST INDEPENDENT OFFICE (LESS THAN 5 BROKERS):  Bayside Residential & Commercial Mortgages	BEST CUSTOMER SERVICE (INDIVIDUAL):  Elizabeth Wilson, Wilson Financial
BEST BRANDED OFFICE:  Yellow Brick Road Dee Why	BEST NEWCOMER:  Alex Veljancevski, Eventus Financial
BEST INDEPENDENT OFFICE (5 OR MORE BROKERS):  Shore Financial	BEST CUSTOMER SERVICE (OFFICE):  VIP Mortgage Solutions Sydney CBD
BEST RESIDENTIAL BROKER:  Daniel Pym, Loan Market Double Bay	BEST REGIONAL BROKER:  Zac Peteh, Mint Equity Somersby
BEST LENDER BDM (BANK): Lauri Kroon ME Bank	BEST FINANCE BROKER:  Justin Doobov, Intelligent Finance
BEST COMMERCIAL BROKER:  George Giovas, Axius Partners	BEST REGIONAL OFFICE:  Fife Goulburn
BEST LENDER BDM (NON-BANK):  Fiona Dickson, Moula	RISING STAR:  Louisa Sanghera, Zippy Financial Group
BEST INNOVATOR:  DPN	EDITOR’S CHOICE:  Aaron Christie-David, Atelier Wealth

WESTERN AUSTRALIA
Crown Perth, 15 March

Lee Sha Chan from Finance Detective earned the title of Western Australia’s Best Newcomer and Broker of the Year.

The judges applauded Ms Chan’s diligence in providing “the best possible service to her clients”, adding that her “passion is evident”.

The award for Best Finance Broker went to Warrick Greaves from Launch Finance for the second year in a row, while Adam Donald from Capita Finance Solutions was named Best Residential Broker.

Elite Finance Australia’s Matthew Posselt was named Rising Star for his hard work in setting up a new brokerage, leading a team of new brokers and providing seminars to the community on financial literacy and the home buying process.

Nicola Mence from NAB won the award for Best Lender BDM (Bank), while Chantelle Ball from Pepper Money was named Best Lender BDM (Non-Bank).

BEST RESIDENTIAL BROKER:  Adam Donald, Capita Finance Solutions	BEST CUSTOMER SERVICE (OFFICE):  Momentum Wealth
BEST INDEPENDENT OFFICE (LESS THAN 5 BROKERS):  Primus Home Loans	BEST NEW OFFICE:  InReach Finance
BEST INDEPENDENT OFFICE (5 OR MORE BROKERS):  Launch Finance	BEST LOAN ADMINISTRATOR:  Debra Donald, Capita Finance Solutions
BEST BRANDED OFFICE:  Capita Finance Solutions	BEST REGIONAL BROKER:  Tamara Virgo, TV Financial Services & Planning
BEST LENDER BDM (BANK):  Nicola Mence, NAB	BEST INNOVATOR:  The Loan Company
BEST COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT PLATFORM:  Diversifi	BEST REGIONAL OFFICE:  Loan Market Geraldton
BEST LENDER BDM (NON-BANK):  Chantelle Ball, Pepper Money	RISING STAR:  Matthew Posselt, Elite Finance Australia
BEST CUSTOMER SERVICE (INDIVIDUAL):  Michelle Towner, Towner Finance	EDITOR’S CHOICE:  Bianca Patterson, Calculated Lending
BEST NEWCOMER:  Lee Sha Chan, Finance Detective

 

A word from our sponsor NAB

NAB is proud to once again be the principal partner of this popular event series for brokers.

We understand that the industry is constantly evolving and changing. Brokers are always looking for new opportunities to grow a successful business. NAB is the bank for brokers and is committed to supporting you and the industry for the long term, and this event is another way we demonstrate this commitment.

We have had some outstanding speakers from a range of industries for this year’s event designed to accelerate your sales potential. We hope that this event has inspired you and equipped you with fresh thinking for the year ahead.

Congratulations again to all the awards winners and finalists!