The best in broking in Vic/Tas celebrated

Geelong-based Loan Market broker Sarah Thomson was named the Broker of the Year for Vic/Tas 2020 at the awards ceremony in Melbourne’s Crown Towers last night (12 March), as well as once again being recognised as the Best Regional Broker – marking the third year in a row she has won this award.

Fellow Loan Market broker Nicola Tucker from Surf Coast Finance was named the Best Newcomer this year, while Lauren Cunningham was recognised as the Best Loan Administrator 2020.

Another relatively new broker, Christopher Borg of Borg Financial was championed at the ceremony, being named as one to watch after being named the Rising Star of Vic/Tas.

The trophy for Best Residential Broker went to Mark Davis of The Australian Lending and Investment Centre (ALIC) once again, with the prolific broker’s work ethic and dedication to his clients particularly noted by judges.

The Australian Lending and Investment Centre brokerage, as a whole, was also awarded at the Better Business Awards, winning the accolade of Best Independent Office (more than 5 brokers). 

Ben Kingsley’s North Melbourne brokerage, Empower Wealth, won the same award in the category for boutique-sized offices, Best Independent Office (5 brokers or less).

For outstanding service delivery, Bernard Desmond of Blank Financial (formerly Feedback Finance) was judged as being the broker with the Best Customer Service (Individual) in Vic/Tas, while the team at Entourage Finance, headed up by Damien Roylance, took home the award for Best Customer Service (Office).

Finance brokers were also celebrated at last night’s event, with AUS Finance Group’s Frank Durso being named Best Finance Broker.

The Editor’s Choice award for this year went to Gippsland Finance Solutions’s Jaime Savory. Ms Savory was particularly commended for her drive to improve financial literacy in the regions and all their work in reaching out to support those affected by the recent bushfires, including providing much-needed information on relief packages, insurance help and raising funds for the community too.

Ms Savory’s Bairnsdale-based brokerage, Gippsland Finance Solutions, also took home the award for Best Regional Office on the night.

For her guidance, mentorship and passion for raising the bar – SAF Finance’s Sarah Farrugia was honoured as Mentor of the Year 2020.

Karen Wright’s Interestrate.com.au received the award for Best Community Engagement Program for all of her hard work in engaging with the deaf and hard of hearing community and improving financial literacy within this community through Australian Sign Language videos.

For the second year running, Red Door Financial Group was named the Best New Office for Vic/TAS and Jonathan Lee’s Mortgage Choice franchise in Williamstown took home the trophy for Best Branded Office.

BDMs celebrated

As well as highlighting the achievements of brokers, the Better Business Awards Vic/Tas also commended business development managers (BDMs) and loan administrators for all they do behind the scenes to help their broker partners.

Melbourne-based MyState Bank BDM, Grace Munro, was named the Best Lender BDM (Bank), while Pasquale Caia at Pepper Money won the same award in the non-bank category.

In the Best Aggregator BDM award, AFG’s Richele Janjatovic was named as the state’s best.

Congratulations to all the winners and finalists! 

You can find out all the winners of the Better Business Awards 2020 here.

[Related: SME lender appoints new sales manager for WA/SA]