Three former presidents, one deputy president re-elected
Following recent elections by forum members, new presidents and deputy presidents have been elected to the MFAA’s five forums, four of whom have been re-elected.
The forums are comprised of the national aggregator forum, the national lender forum, the national equipment and commercial finance forum, the national compliance and regulatory forum, and the national mortgage managers forum.
MFAA CEO Mike Felton said the forums, together with broker feedback delivered through state managers and regulatory roundtables, provide valuable insights that inform MFAA programs, advocacy and policy positions.
Thanking the outgoing forum presidents and deputy presidents for their time, effort and commitment, Felton welcomed the incoming forum leaders who had been elected to fill these important roles going forward.
“We are privileged to again have such a wealth of experience in these key roles for the coming year,” Felton said.
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Read more about each of the five forums below, including the incoming and outgoing presidents and vice presidents.
National aggregator forum welcomes Stephen Moore and Gerald Foley
The national aggregator forum provides a platform for the larger aggregation groups to review and discuss industry-wide issues. The forum assists the MFAA with challenges, formulates its position and considers potential solutions and their consequences, the MFAA said.
Managing director of PLAN Australia, Choice Aggregation Services and FAST Stephen Moore has been elected as president of the forum. Moore said he appreciated the support of fellow aggregator heads to lead the forum as its president.
“There are important matters we still need to work through as an industry to evolve our profession and ensure sustainability well into the future. Leadership comes with responsibility, and I look forward to making a significant contribution working with the MFAA,” Moore said.
Moore is joined by National Mortgage Brokers managing director and MFAA life member Gerald Foley as deputy president.
Moore and Foley replace Anja Pannek, formerly of Loan Market Group and AFG general manager industry and partnership development Mark Hewitt. Both had stepped down from their roles, the MFAA said, with Hewitt having recently joined the MFAA board.
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National lender forum welcomes Mark Middleton (re-elected) and Darren McLeod
This forum is comprised of 14 lender members: four from major banks and from smaller banks and non-bank lenders which distribute products through the broker channel, the MFAA said.
Teachers Mutual Bank Limited head of third party distribution Mark Middleton (pictured above left) has been re-elected as president of the forum.
“I look forward to another year of working with the forum, whilst also representing lenders, to ensure a stronger outcome for the broker industry overall,” Middleton said.
Beyond Bank head of third party Darren McLeod has been elected as deputy president of the forum, replacing BOQ general manager broker and MFAA life member Kathy Cummings.
National equipment and commercial finance forum welcomes George Obeid (re-elected) and Mhairi MacLeod
The national equipment and commercial finance forum is actively involved in a number of relevant issues affecting the broking and finance sector, the MFAA said. These include training and education for finance brokers, and commercial lending environment and trends analysis.
Judo Bank chief third party officer George Obeid (pictured above right) has been re-elected as president.
“The E&CF forum have an important mandate to deliver on behalf of MFAA members and we are committed to fostering greater diversification into commercial and equipment finance, through training and development, education and insights across the finance broking industry,” Obeid said.
Obeid is joined by deputy president Astute Ability Finance Group founder and principal Mhairi MacLeod (pictured immediately below). MacLeod is the first female to have been elected to the position.
Having served on the MFAA national equipment and commercial finance forum for over six years, MacLeod has over 24 years’ experience as an asset and commercial broker.
MacLeod said the industry had evolved from what was traditionally a male-dominated lending space.
“This includes equal opportunities which is now part of the landscape, allowing women like myself to bring experience and diversity to the table,” MacLeod said.
“As the first ever woman to be appointed to the role, it demonstrates the forum’s commitment to inclusiveness and our support with educating female mortgage brokers seeking to expand finance offerings to clients via equipment and commercial finance.”
MacLeod said she would support Obeid in the delivery and outcomes of the forum.
“With 28.8% of mortgage brokers currently writing equipment and commercial finance (MFAA IIS report), the aim is to empower and educate more brokers on the merits of diversifying into more revenue streams via the equipment and commercial finance space,” MacLeod said.
Elected for a 12-month term, MacLeod said she would steer the forum committee to focus on developing tools and resources that MFAA members could utilise to expand beyond mortgage lending.
National compliance and regulatory forum welcomes Shirley Elliot (re-elected) and Don Campbell
This forum was established to enable members to share their experience, knowledge and intelligence on compliance and regulatory matters for the mutual benefit of all members, the MFAA said.
AFG national compliance manager Shirley Elliot (pictured above centre) has been re-elected as president. Elliot said the various forums provide an opportunity to collaborate and develop initiatives of benefit to the industry and its members.
“Over the coming year, I’m looking forward to working with the members of the forum and the MFAA to look at ways to develop solutions, simplify compliance and manage existing and new regulations,” Elliot said.
Elliot is joined by Lendi Group general manager risk and compliance Don Campbell, as deputy president. Campbell replaces former MoneyQuest Australia compliance manager Tim Donahoo.
National mortgage managers forum welcomes Doug Daniell (re-elected) and Mick Conyngham
The national mortgage managers forum provides a platform for mortgage managers to review and discuss issues facing the industry. The forum assists the MFAA with challenges, formulates its position and considers potential solutions and their consequences, the MFAA said.
As the former deputy president of the forum, Mortgage Mart of Australia director Doug Daniell has been elected as president.
“It is exciting to be a part of an MFAA Forum, comprised of mortgage manager representatives which continues to support the industry we are passionate about and its future,” Daniell said.
Daniell is joined by Mortgage Ezy head of operations Mick Conyngham as deputy president.
Thanking all of the forum members for their participation, MFAA CEO Mike Felton said the MFAA greatly appreciated the time and effort invested and “the opportunity to engage with forum members” to consider significant issues and discuss potential solutions to industry challenges.
