Newly created role to deepen aggregator partnerships, unlock market opportunities
Bluestone Home Loans has bolstered its broker support team with the appointment of Paul Bakker (pictured) as head of strategic partnerships.
The newly created role will focus on deepening aggregator partnerships while enhancing integration and education initiatives. Bakker also aims to unlock new market opportunities through product innovation and data-led insights.
Discussing his new role, Bakker said: “I’ve seen firsthand how quickly Bluestone has grown in the third-party market over the last two years.
“Bluestone Home Loans is well-known in the market for its dependable service, commonsense approach to credit assessment, and customer-centric approach, giving brokers confidence in working with a company that values integrity.”
Bakker praised Bluestone’s “wide range of specialised loan options (that) meet the diverse needs of brokers in today’s market, providing brokers with flexibility and choice".
The newly created role reflects Bluestone’s push to solidify its standing in Australia’s competitive non-bank sector. Tony MacRae, Bluestone’s chief commercial officer, believes the appointment reflects a deliberate step in this growth journey.
Bluestone recently brought on a raft of business development managers to pursue this growth.
In South Australia, the group recently welcomed Rochelle Melino and Lauren McClure as new business development managers, while Matthew Lawrence in New South Wales recently moved up from business support manager (BSM) to BDM
In Queensland, Nataya Keim also joined the ranks as a BDM.
MacRae said: “Bluestone’s presence and market share has grown over the past two years to become one of the largest non-bank players in the market.
“Our goal is to be the clear leader in this space, and we’re doing that by doubling down on what sets us apart: strong relationships and exceptional service. This role embodies that commitment, ensuring our aggregator partners continue to receive best-in-market support while we deliver mutual growth and shared value.
“Paul brings deep expertise and long-standing aggregator relationships, with a proven record of driving growth through collaboration and insight. His leadership will help us elevate the broker experience and accelerate Bluestone’s growth in the non-bank space.”
“I’m excited to be part of a team that’s serious about making life easier for brokers – whether through flexible product design, better integration, or empowering BDMs to truly add value,” Bakker added.
