A finance industry head has been appointed to the Order of Australia, the highest recognition in the Australian honours system.
The managing director of the Finance Brokers Association of Australia, Peter White has been appointed as a Member of the Order of Australia in the Queen’s Birthday honours list.
White, who is active in finance, politics and charity activities, was appointed for his “outstanding achievement and merit in services to the finance sector for over 41 years”.
Chairman of the FBAA board Tony Carter, said the award was “due recognition for Peter’s life-long commitment to the industry and those who work within the sector”.
“I and the FBAA board of directors, on behalf of our members, congratulate Peter for achieving this great honour. He has always used his incredible knowledge and energy to help others in a variety of ways,” Carter said.
“His service to the community goes beyond looking after the needs of finance brokers and their clients. He has been instrumental in ensuring FBAA is recognised as a highly effective and professional voice of industry. He is also recognised for helping to bring about positive changes that impact on consumers everywhere, in Australia and overseas,” Carter added.
The Order of Australia was established in 1975 by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. As a “principal means” of recognising outstanding members of the community, there are four levels and two divisions of the Order of Australia.
At a national level, nominations are encouraged from all members of the public. Anyone can nominate a member of the community for recognition through the Order.
Before forming FBAA, White’s career started in the non-bank lending sector and today, in addition to his position with the FBAA, he is also an advisory board member of the Small Business Association of Australia.
White was recently appointed as the inaugural chair of the board of governors for the global International Mortgage Brokers Federation which seeks to share best practice and knowledge to ensure the highest standards of broking around the world.
Outside of finance, he has been highly active in the third sector, setting up the Sanity Space Foundation to assist parents of special needs children. He is also active in supporting the mental health of brokers through R U OK? day.
“Peter’s had great success recently with government, influencing at the highest levels on regulation and legislation, meeting regularly with the federal government, treasury, ASIC and the ATO. All who know Peter understand how much he cares about brokers. He is well-known and admired for his advocacy for mental health awareness,” Carter added.
White accepted the award on behalf of all his colleagues who strive to make a difference.
He said, “I am humbled to be considered worthy of this honour. I am part of a team that works tirelessly for the financial services industry and specifically our mortgage broking sector and I wouldn’t be able to achieve half of what I do without them.”
