Three cheers for 2025 Australian Mortgage Awards judges

“That took more work than I was expecting.” So goes that common phrase uttered by the hand-picked judges of the annual Australian Mortgage Awards.

Each year, dozens of industry experts take time out of their busy schedules to read through hundreds of submissions from across the Australian mortgage finance world.

Through rigorous analysis, these judges have the unenviable honour of selecting the winners across 28 award categories.

Read more: Mortgage industry’s night of nights: 2025 Australian Mortgage Awards celebrates sector’s best

MPA, AustralianBroker, AMAs event partner Westpac, premium partners Liberty and NAB, and all award sponsors would like to thank the following for their efforts:

• Helen Avis – director of finance, Specialist Mortgage

• Cory Bannister – senior vice president – chief lending officer, La Trobe Financial

• Renee Blethyn – head of broker partnerships, NextGen

• Adam Brown – executive, broker distribution, NAB

• Tim Brown – chief executive, Recludo Mortgage Brokering Services

• Blake Buchanan – general manager, Specialist Finance Group

• Kristy Clucas – head of broker strategy, partnerships & performance, BOQ Group

• Graham Cooke – head of consumer research, Finder

• Jean-Pierre Gortan – managing director, Simplicity Loans & Advisory

• Travis Hall – national manager – mortgage broker distribution, AMP Bank

• Caroline Jean-Baptiste – managing director, Mortgage Choice Fortitude Valley & Ashgrove

• Frank Knez – head of broker go-to-market, Lendi Group

• Anja Pannek – chief executive, Mortgage & Finance Association of Australia (MFAA)

• Ian Rakhit – general manager, homebuying distribution, Bankwest

• Scott Rollason – chief executive, Real Estate Institute of Australia

• Lee Rudwick – general manager – mortgages product management, ANZ

• Louisa Sanghera – managing director, Zippy Financial Group

• Barry Saoud – general manager mortgages and commercial lending, Pepper Money

• David Smith – chief distribution officer, Liberty

• George Thompson – head of mortgages, ING

• Joseph Trimarchi – solicitor, Joseph Trimarchi & Associates

• Peter White – managing director, Finance Brokers Association of Australasia

• Sarah Willsallen – head of broker distribution, Westpac Group

• Baber Zaker – general manager / crew lead engage and manage brokers, Commonwealth Bank

• Angel Zhong – professor of finance, RMIT University

From the judges’ mouths

“Participating in the judging panel for the AMAs is a tremendous privilege to be entrusted with the responsibility of evaluating the very top performers in our industry,” said Bannister. “It’s a very insightful experience that reveals the significant impact our sector has on the broader economy, which brings a great sense of pride noting the important work we collectively undertake.”

Pannek said it was “inspiring to see mortgage and finance brokers continuing to raise the bar on service and expertise”. Pannek noted the exceptional quality of AMAs entries and the dedication shown by brokers to their clients, signalling a bright future for the industry.

“It's no small feat to be recognised as a leader in your field, and your hard work and innovation have clearly shone through. I was incredibly impressed by the high calibre of nominees across all categories,” said Gortan.

Brown said: “As a judge, I get excited to see the mortgage broking industry continue to attract such a high calibre of people and businesses. I feel honoured to be able to participate as a judge and recognise the pinnacle of the industry through the AMAs awards. Once again, congratulations to all the nominees, you are all winners.”

White (pictured below, with FBAA Broker of the Year – Residential winner Chris Raymond) called the AMAs “a great event where we recognise and reward brokers in our industry for excellence in what they’re doing”.

“It’s great to come together, celebrate success (and) celebrate excellence,” said Adam Brown. “It’s great to recognise and give a little back and really value the people that do so much to support Australians getting their homes.”

The AMAs “are the pinnacle of excellence in what we do,” said Willsallan (pictured, top of page, with Westpac Australian Broker of the Year winner Katie Thomas). “It’s really important that we inspire our colleagues, our friends and those seeking to enter the industry. And there’s nothing better that the feeling of being in a room with 800 people at the very very top of their craft and it’s an absolute privilege for Westpac to be associated with it.”

Rakhit (pictured, above, with Infinity Capital Financial Group's Jack Zhou) called the AMAs “the pinnacle of all the awards that we have across our glorious industry”. He added: “They have a really good range of recognition for both individuals, teams, brokerages, lenders, product providers. This is the greatest night of the year.”

Avis (pictured, below, with Pepper Money's Drew Clegg) was a winner in her own right, having scooped up Pepper Money Broker of the Year – Specialist Lending.

"It is amazing to win this award – truly honoured to be recognised," said Avis.