Annie Kane is the managing editor of Momentum's The Adviser.
As well as writing about the Australian broking industry, the mortgage market, financial regulation, fintechs and the wider lending landscape – Annie is also the host of the Elite Broker and In Focus podcasts and The Adviser Live webcasts.
Purple Circle Financial Services Pty Ltd is a multiple Australian award winning aggregator, dedicated to teaching, supporting and serving it’s broker members.
Michael Stephens is a foundation partner and director of Purple Circle Financial Services Pty Ltd and leads a dedicated team who help aspiring brokers reach their full business potential.
Michael possesses a wealth of knowledge and experience from growing finance, financial planning and property businesses from start-up to maturity.
Having been involved in several successful international ventures before joining Purple Circle Financial Services Pty Ltd, Michael’s niche’ is in management, growth and development of Purple Circle’s new-to-industry broking academy – Purple Pathways.
There he can share his vast knowledge with new brokers wanting to build successful mortgage broking businesses.
Trent Kelly is the Senior Manager of Network Growth at Lendi Group, where he plays a key role in shaping and executing strategies to grow the Aussie broker and retail network. His hybrid role spans both recruitment marketing and network development—driving brand visibility, market representation, and broker acquisition across Australia.
Trent is passionate about positioning Aussie as the destination of choice for brokers. He works at the intersection of brand, strategy, and talent—connecting prospective brokers with the right opportunities and ensuring the Aussie value proposition is clearly understood in the market.
Through close collaboration with key stakeholders across the business, Trent helps to ensure the right brokers are matched with the right opportunities at the right time—to support their growth and development, and to drive the continued expansion of the Aussie brand.
Joanna James is the Chief Development Officer (CDO) at the FBAA, and holds extensive industry experience in Mortgage Broking, Mortgage Management, Lending and Business Growth.
A unique and dynamic leader she is also a 5x best selling author on Amazon, internationally recognised mentor, and designer.
Her mantra is simple: anything is possible when you never give up!
Bernard Desmond is a multi–award-winning mortgage broker and the founder of Blank Financial, known for transforming his career from a new-to-industry broker into one of Australia’s top performers in under a decade.
Starting with no client base and no shortcuts, Bernard built his business from the ground up - refining the systems, strategies, and client approach that now consistently deliver high volumes, strong conversions, and exceptional client outcomes. Over the past 9 years, his results and service excellence have earned him multiple industry awards and recognition as a leading broker.
Today, Bernard is focused on helping the next generation of brokers fast-track their success. Through mentorship, proven frameworks, and real-world guidance, he shows new to industry brokers and bankers exactly how to transition into broking, build momentum quickly, and avoid the costly trial and error that slows most new entrants.
For New to Industry Brokers and Bankers ready to take control of their income and career, Bernard provides a clear, proven pathway to achieving the same high-level results - faster.
James Angus, CEO of finweb, brings nearly two decades of expertise and passion to his leadership role. Drawing from a rich background as a mentor, mortgage broker, and Chartered Accountant, James is dedicated to fostering business growth through innovation and scaling. His commitment to mentorship and professional development is a cornerstone of finweb's ethos, shaping the company's culture and guiding its team to excellence.
James's educational journey includes studying at the prestigious Stanford University in Palo Alto, an experience that has profoundly influenced his approach to business and leadership. At finweb, he leverages this background to create a supportive and dynamic environment for brokers, ensuring they have the tools and guidance needed to thrive.
finweb, a boutique broker group, stands out in the industry by bridging the gap between the broad offerings of aggregators and the unique needs of individual brokers. The company provides comprehensive support through mentoring, professional development, business coaching, loan administration support, marketing, and innovative tools. This holistic approach empowers brokers to achieve their full potential and deliver exceptional service to their clients.
Under James's leadership, finweb has become synonymous with excellence and growth, transforming good brokers into great ones. His dedication to the success of his team and his innovative vision have made finweb a leader in the industry, celebrated for its commitment to helping brokers succeed and grow.
