Movers & Shakers

AFG co-founder steps down

Australian Finance Group (AFG) confirmed co-founder Malcolm Watkins’ retirement as a non-executive director, bringing to a close nearly 32 years with the aggregator he helped turn into a diversified, ASX-listed financial services group.

Watkins established AFG in 1994, alongside Brett McKeon, Kevin Matthews, and the late Brad McGougan, at a time when the broker channel was still finding its feet in the Australian mortgage market.

Over the ensuing decades, AFG grew into one of the country’s largest aggregators, with brokers on its panel now responsible for around one in nine new residential mortgages nationally.

Initially an executive director, Watkins moved into a non-executive role in 2022 as part of a gradual governance transition.

AFG chair Greg Medcraft said Watkins’ influence stretched across AFG’s strategy, culture, and systems.

“Malcolm has been fundamental to the success of AFG from day one,” he said.

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Homesafe taps new distribution chief

Homesafe Wealth Release has appointed Francis Fusca as its first manager of distribution and partnerships, signalling a move beyond its largely direct-only model to engage brokers.

Fusca will lead Homesafe’s intermediary outreach, including education programs, strategic alliances, and embedding its equity-release solutions in client discussions.

He brings over 13 years’ experience in mortgage and financial services partnerships, most recently as head of growth markets at Allianz.
Homesafe highlighted Fusca’s proven ability to build trusted relationships, grow volumes, and develop partnership strategies.

CEO Dianne Shepherd said the hire reflects the company’s commitment to expanding through intermediated channels after nearly two decades of primarily direct engagement.

“This is the first time we are actively engaging in the broker and adviser channel, and we are bringing in someone who is exceptionally experienced and well suited to this role,” Shepherd said.

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Brighten unveils new state-based leadership structure

Non-bank lender Brighten has promoted four distribution leaders to newly created state manager positions and elevated another executive to a new national partnerships role.

The restructure saw Kay Yang appointed state manager for NSW and the ACT; Wendy Goulevitch for Queensland; Nicole Woodruff (pictured) for Victoria and Tasmania; and Scott Chandler for Western Australia, South Australia, and the Northern Territory.

Alongside the state manager promotions, Brighten also announced that it had promoted Jimmy Hou to the newly created role of national partnerships manager.

“This reflects the depth of leadership capability within Brighten’s distribution team and the strength of its internal talent pipeline as the organisation grows,” Brighten said.

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LMG brings back WA leader

Western Australian industry veteran Natalie White-Dunn has rejoined LMG as Western Australian growth manager and Loan Market broker success manager, taking on a dual leadership role as the group’s footprint in the state expands.

White-Dunn, who started in November 2025, brings nearly two decades of experience across aggregation and finance.

She previously worked with LMG brokers from 2012–23 as a partnership manager at FAST before it merged into LMG and has held business development roles with Victorian Finance Group, Platform Finance WA, and COG Aggregation WA.

In her new role, White-Dunn will drive growth in Western Australia, while enhancing support for Loan Market offices across the state.

“Helping business owners find the right fit for them – while still having the flexibility to change service models if their ambitions change – was one of the big attractions for me to return,” White-Dunn said.