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With just one month to go until the Australian Mortgage Awards finalists are starting to get excited.
Celebrating the best in the mortgage broking industry the awards is now in its seventeenth year, sponsored by major lender Westpac for the last ten consecutive years.
There are 213 finalists this year from nearly 90 companies. If you missed the announcement for the finalists for 2018 you can check back here.
The winner of the Broker of the Year – Independent award last year is up as a finalist again in the category this year.
Smartmove’s Simon Orbell said it “means the most” to win an AMA award.
He added, “For me it’s the pinnacle of recognition within the industry. I believe it’s the premier event. The AMAs are like the Logies, so I feel like they’re the ones you get the most amount of recognition.”
Speaking of his win last year, Orbell said he was “surprised” after being nominated so many times but never quite making it on stage.
“It was a feeling of disbelief but absolute excitement and I was absolutely ecstatic to win,” he said. “I’ve been in the industry now for 14 years so to not have ever picked one up and then to get one last year was awesome.”
Having scaled back on an independent level to focus more on building the team, Orbell is not confident of a win again this year, but said the team will “still be there with hope”.
He added, “I think it’s always such a fun evening. It’s wonderful from a networking perspective. All of the industry, the who’s who of the industry, is generally there and always there which is great, so we get to develop close relationships with people who can help us in our business and we can help them with theirs.
“The entertainment is always wonderful, the MCs are always great, and it’s an awesome atmosphere. When our team go all of it’s with great anticipation.”
Director of 40 Forty Finance, Will Unkles, is running against Orbell for the same award, in a category which is becoming increasingly competitive.
He said, “Being recognised by the AMAs provides true validation that all the hard work is absolutely worth it.
“When I started my business three years ago, my goal was to make finance understandable, relatable and engaging to those aged 25-35.
“I rely on referrals from my existing database, so I am continually striving hard to deliver a fantastic service that exceeds all expectations.
“To be named amongst the leading brokers in this fantastic industry is a humbling honour and one that will only push me and the business to new heights.”
