2025 Australian Mortgage Awards Judges Recognised for Industry Leadership
Mortgage Professional Australia honours the expert panel behind the AMAs, spotlighting the sector’s highest standards of service and expertise
Each year, the Australian Mortgage Awards (AMAs) bring together the country’s most dynamic mortgage-broking professionals to recognise outstanding achievement.
In 2025, more than 850 industry leaders gathered at Sydney’s Fullerton Hotel, emphasising the significance of this annual benchmark event.
This year’s judging panel comprised 26 senior figures drawn from across finance, broking, lending and academia.
Among this cohort were Helen Avis of Specialist Mortgage; Cory Bannister of La Trobe Financial; Renee Blethyn of NextGen; Adam Brown of NAB; Tim Brown of Recludo; Blake Buchanan of Specialist Finance Group; Kristy Clucas of BOQ Group; Graham Cooke of Finder; Jean-Pierre “JP” Gortan of Simplicity Loans; Travis Hall of AMP Bank; Caroline Jean-Baptiste of Mortgage Choice; Frank Knez of Lendi Group; Anja Pannek of the Mortgage & Finance Association of Australia; Ian Rakhit of Bankwest; Scott Rollason of the Real Estate Institute of Australia; Lee Rudwick of ANZ; Louisa Sanghera of Zippy Financial Group; Barry Saoud of Pepper Money; David Smith of Liberty; George Thompson of ING; Joseph Trimarchi of Joseph Trimarchi & Associates; Peter White of the Finance Brokers Association of Australasia; Sarah Willsallen of Westpac; Baber Zaker of Commonwealth Bank; Angel Zhong of RMIT University; together with additional senior panel members.
Judges described their role as both a privilege and a responsibility.
Bannister noted the judging process offered deep insight into the industry’s broader economic contribution, while Pannek called the quality of entries “inspiring” and indicative of a bright future for the sector.
Gortan said nominees’ hard work and innovation “clearly shone through.”
Industry partners celebrated the judges’ contribution in setting and elevating standards across the mortgage-broking ecosystem.
Adam Brown described the AMAs as the moment each year to “recognise and give a little back” to the brokers who support Australians in achieving home-ownership.
Avis, herself an award-winner in 2025, reflected on the honour of being recognised and thanked the panel for their rigorous evaluations.
With 28 award categories spanning individual brokers, brokerages, lenders, product providers and service teams, the 2025 AMAs underscored both the diversity and depth of the sector.
The rigorous judging process—undertaken amidst hundreds of submissions—reinforced the event’s role in celebrating excellence, inspiring entry-level professionals and highlighting the value of high-performance standards for consumers and the economy alike.
As the mortgage-finance industry continues to evolve rapidly, the judges’ meticulous review and endorsement of the nominees signals a strengthening of professionalism and service.
Their efforts frame the AMAs not simply as a gala event, but as a meaningful benchmark in recognising those who deliver impactful outcomes for Australian borrowers.
In 2025, more than 850 industry leaders gathered at Sydney’s Fullerton Hotel, emphasising the significance of this annual benchmark event.
This year’s judging panel comprised 26 senior figures drawn from across finance, broking, lending and academia.
Among this cohort were Helen Avis of Specialist Mortgage; Cory Bannister of La Trobe Financial; Renee Blethyn of NextGen; Adam Brown of NAB; Tim Brown of Recludo; Blake Buchanan of Specialist Finance Group; Kristy Clucas of BOQ Group; Graham Cooke of Finder; Jean-Pierre “JP” Gortan of Simplicity Loans; Travis Hall of AMP Bank; Caroline Jean-Baptiste of Mortgage Choice; Frank Knez of Lendi Group; Anja Pannek of the Mortgage & Finance Association of Australia; Ian Rakhit of Bankwest; Scott Rollason of the Real Estate Institute of Australia; Lee Rudwick of ANZ; Louisa Sanghera of Zippy Financial Group; Barry Saoud of Pepper Money; David Smith of Liberty; George Thompson of ING; Joseph Trimarchi of Joseph Trimarchi & Associates; Peter White of the Finance Brokers Association of Australasia; Sarah Willsallen of Westpac; Baber Zaker of Commonwealth Bank; Angel Zhong of RMIT University; together with additional senior panel members.
Judges described their role as both a privilege and a responsibility.
Bannister noted the judging process offered deep insight into the industry’s broader economic contribution, while Pannek called the quality of entries “inspiring” and indicative of a bright future for the sector.
Gortan said nominees’ hard work and innovation “clearly shone through.”
Industry partners celebrated the judges’ contribution in setting and elevating standards across the mortgage-broking ecosystem.
Adam Brown described the AMAs as the moment each year to “recognise and give a little back” to the brokers who support Australians in achieving home-ownership.
Avis, herself an award-winner in 2025, reflected on the honour of being recognised and thanked the panel for their rigorous evaluations.
With 28 award categories spanning individual brokers, brokerages, lenders, product providers and service teams, the 2025 AMAs underscored both the diversity and depth of the sector.
The rigorous judging process—undertaken amidst hundreds of submissions—reinforced the event’s role in celebrating excellence, inspiring entry-level professionals and highlighting the value of high-performance standards for consumers and the economy alike.
As the mortgage-finance industry continues to evolve rapidly, the judges’ meticulous review and endorsement of the nominees signals a strengthening of professionalism and service.
Their efforts frame the AMAs not simply as a gala event, but as a meaningful benchmark in recognising those who deliver impactful outcomes for Australian borrowers.
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