Presidents, deputy presidents of five industry forums revealed
The presidents and deputy presidents of the MFAA’s national forums have been decided, following nominations and elections.
The forums play a key role in the mortgage and finance industry’s largest peak body.
MFAA CEO Anja Pannek said the insights and observations shared by, and the feedback derived from, the MFAA’s national forums was invaluable in informing the direction of the MFAA’s activities and advocacy efforts throughout the year.
“Our national forums are integral in co-creating solutions for the benefit of our mortgage and finance broker members and to further the industry,” Pannek said.
“We are focused on a whole-of-industry approach – with our broker members at the core of our advocacy and education activities.
“Our national forums play a critical role in ensuring we hear and understand perspectives from across the industry. This allows us to continue to shape and influence positive outcomes for our broker members.”
Pannek said as an example, in 2023 under the guidance of the national forums, two cross-forum working groups were set up to focus on cybersecurity and broker accreditations.
“Both these areas are key issues for our broker members that require a whole-of-industry focus,” she said.
The MFAA can now announce, following a process of nomination and voting by each forum, who has been elected in the positions of presidents and deputy presidents across five forums: the National Aggregator Forum; National Compliance & Regulation Forum; National Equipment & Commercial Finance Forum; National Lender Forum, and National Mortgage Managers Forum
National Aggregators Forum
The MFAA said National Aggregators Forum provided a platform for aggregator members to review and discuss issues facing the industry and to assist the MFAA in formulating positions and considering potential solutions and their consequences.
- President: Anthony Waldron (pictured top left), REA Group CEO of financial services and Mortgage Choice (re-elected)
- Deputy president: Gerald Foley (pictured below), nMB managing director (re-elected)
Waldron said it was an honour to again be elected president of the National Aggregator Forum.
“I look forward to working with the MFAA and all of the other aggregators again this year as we continue to grow the broking industry,” he said.
National Compliance & Regulatory Forum
The National Compliance & Regulatory Forum was established for members to share experiences, knowledge and intelligence on compliance and regulatory matters for the mutual benefit of all members, said the MFAA.
Its focus included determining industry best practice and consistent standards relating to legislative and regulatory compliance.
- President: Shirley Elliot (pictured top second from left), AFG head of compliance (re-elected)
- Deputy president: Samantha Wills (pictured below), Finsure head of risk and compliance (newly elected)
“I am pleased to be continuing in this role and work with the MFAA to ensure our industry is at the forefront of regulatory change,” said Elliot.
“Being a part of this forum and the MFAA’s advocacy and engagement with regulators helps us ensure that brokers can protect their businesses and continue to provide good consumer outcomes.”
National Equipment & Commercial Finance Forum
The National Equipment & Commercial Finance Forum. is made up of representatives from broking businesses, aggregators and lenders.
The MFAA said forum members were actively involved in a number of relevant issues affecting the sector, including training and education for finance brokers and commercial lending environment and trends analysis.
- President: George Obeid (pictured top second from right), Judo Bank chief third party officer (re-elected)
- Deputy president: Mhairi MacLeod (pictured below), Astute Ability Finance Group managing director (re-elected)
Obeid said he was delighted to be re-elected as president. “I am thrilled to continue to work with our amazing MFAA forum members, as we grow commercial and equipment finance within the broker industry.”
National Lenders Forum
The National Lenders Forum is made up of lender members, including the major banks, smaller banks and non-bank lender members which distribute their products through mortgage and finance brokers.
- President: Mark Middleton (pictured top far right), Teachers Mutual Bank Limited head of third party distribution (re-elected)
- Deputy president: Darren McLeod (pictured below), Beyond Bank head of third party (re-elected)
Middleton said he looked forward to continuing to make a positive contribution to the industry as the re-appointed President of the National Lender Forum. “It’s important we continue to represent lenders so that we ensure a stronger outcome for the broker industry.”
National Mortgage Managers Forum
The National Mortgage Managers Forum provides a platform for mortgage managers to review and discuss issues facing the industry and to assist the MFAA in dealing with challenges, formulating positions and considering potential solutions and their consequences.
- President: Doug Daniell, Mortgage Mart of Australia (re-elected)
- Deputy president: Melissa Ashcroft (pictured below), AAA Financial Group general manager (newly elected)
The MFAA said it was Daniell’s second term as president of the National Mortgage Managers Forum – he also previously served as deputy president.
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