FEATURED winner
First Mortgage Trust
“I had a picture of a house, and the house was Premiere Mortgage Centre”
Kerri Reed,
Premiere Mortgage Centre
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EXCELLENCE AWARDEE:
Underwriting Agency of the Year
EXCELLENCE AWARDEE:
Underwriting Agency of the Year
www.fmt.co.nz
FMT - First Mortgage Trust
team@fmt.co.nz
0800 321 113
15 First Avenue, Tauranga
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winner:
Non-Bank Lender of the Year
First Mortgage Trust
Paul Bendall
CEO
Paul Bendall is the Chief Executive Officer of First Mortgage Trust (FMT), New Zealand’s largest non-bank first mortgage lender. With over 25 years of experience in banking and property finance, Paul is known for his strategic vision and people-first leadership. Since joining FMT in 2020, the loan book has grown significantly, and funds under management have nearly doubled from $1 billion to $2 billion. Under his guidance, FMT has solidified its reputation for flexible, shorter-term property lending and consistent investment returns for over 7,000 investors. Paul’s passion for property and innovation continues to drive FMT’s success in the non-bank lending sector.
CEO
Paul Bendall
facebook.com/themortgagegirlsnz
@the_mortgage_girls_nz
Robin Barham
Leadership
1188 Whakue St, Rotorua Central, Rotorua
Ben Webster
Co-founder and Head of Product
Leadership
Ben Webster, co-founder of AGILE, is also the driving force behind other successful insurtechs like Insured by Us and SanctionsCheck.co. With decades of experience in founding and scaling remote-first companies across multiple time zones, Ben has mastered the art of managing diverse skill sets. He is also a co-founder of Insurtech Australia, further cementing his reputation as a key industry influencer. His multifaceted experience in both traditional insurance and technological innovation makes him a unique asset to AGILE.
Co-founder and Head of Product
Ben Webster
Nick Goritsas is a seasoned insurance executive with over 30 years in the field, focusing on operational and financial improvements. He previously served as CFO and head of risk management at W.R. Berkley Insurance Australia and was the founding CFO at DUAL Australia. As the APRA Alternate Agent in Australia for W.R. Berkley, Nick brought an extra layer of compliance and risk mitigation to the table. His proficiency in finance and risk management provides AGILE with a strategic advantage in these critical areas.
Co-founder and Group CFO
Nick Goritsas
Robin Barham brings over 30 years of industry experience to AGILE, having honed his skills at Lloyd’s Syndicates in London and Australia. Starting out in Marine and Aerospace underwriting, he later assumed management roles focusing on A&H, Property, Casualty and Financial Lines. His former positions include underwriting manager at Catlin Australia, regional director at Arch Underwriting at Lloyd’s (Australia), and MD at StarStone Underwriting Australia. Robin’s extensive background adds unparalleled underwriting expertise to AGILE’s leadership team.
Co-founder and CEO
Robin Barham
Robin Barham brings over 30 years of industry experience to AGILE, having honed his skills at Lloyd’s Syndicates in London and Australia. Starting out in Marine and Aerospace underwriting, he later assumed management roles focusing on A&H, Property, Casualty and Financial Lines. His former positions include underwriting manager at Catlin Australia, regional director at Arch Underwriting at Lloyd’s (Australia), and MD at StarStone Underwriting Australia. Robin’s extensive background adds unparalleled underwriting expertise to AGILE’s leadership team.
Co-founder and CEO
Robin Barham
@agile_uw
Robin Barham
Co-founder and CEO
As an independent, forward-thinking girls’ school we are committed to preparing girls for a lifetime of learning, leadership and engagement in our global community. We believe in girls.
At Ruyton Girls’ School we foster the individuality of each girl in a caring and safe environment, nurturing her intellectual, physical, social and emotional qualities that are essential to flourish.
Powerful learning is central to the Ruyton culture, building on our strong academic reputation. We focus on advancing the learning of every girl through the engagement of intellectual curiosity, building their knowledge and skills about how to learn, and supporting them to achieve their personal best and be exemplary citizens. We believe in real-world learning beyond the classroom, collaborating with the wider community to promote growth, discovery and sustainability.
We empower our girls to lead lives of purpose with courage, character and compassion. Through the development of values and action-focused learning they are inspired to pursue equity and justice for self and others. By embracing diversity and raising their voices, our girls effect positive change and make a difference.
Bellbird Park State Secondary College (BPSSC) prides itself on providing an innovative and inclusive education experience for all learners. Our college is extraordinary because of the incredible students, parents, community partners and staff who bring it to life each day. Since opening in 2017 with 212 Year 7 students and 31 staff, the school has been on a rapid journey of student growth and staff recruitment. BPSSC now has an enrolment of 1,800 students and 150+ staff members. Located in the aspirational, multiculturally rich Ipswich community (ICSEA 953), we’re exceptionally proud to be the school of choice in our community.
At BPSSC, we’re committed to supporting the success and wellbeing of every student as they transition through each stage of learning through our high-expectations, high-support approach. In 2023, 175 First Nations students are connected and thriving at our college. Our Many Pathways, No Limits mantra extends to all students, and we provide tailored differentiated, culturally appropriate educational opportunities for our First Nations students. Our approach to First Nations education is extensive, multifaceted and a whole-school effort effecting positive systematic change and outcomes for our students.
Bellbird Park State Secondary College (BPSSC) prides itself on providing an innovative and inclusive education experience for all learners. Our college is extraordinary because of the incredible students, parents, community partners and staff who bring it to life each day. Since opening in 2017 with 212 Year 7 students and 31 staff, the school has been on a rapid journey of student growth and staff recruitment. BPSSC now has an enrolment of 1,800 students and 150+ staff members. Located in the aspirational, multiculturally rich Ipswich community (ICSEA 953), we’re exceptionally proud to be the school of choice in our community.
At BPSSC, we’re committed to supporting the success and wellbeing of every student as they transition through each stage of learning through our high-expectations, high-support approach. In 2023, 175 First Nations students are connected and thriving at our college. Our Many Pathways, No Limits mantra extends to all students, and we provide tailored differentiated, culturally appropriate educational opportunities for our First Nations students. Our approach to First Nations education is extensive, multifaceted and a whole-school effort effecting positive systematic change and outcomes for our students.
Nick Goritsas
Co-founder and Group CFO
Co-founder and CEO
As a proudly Kiwi-owned business with nearly 30 years of experience, First Mortgage Trust (FMT) continues to grow by building trusted relationships and delivering flexible property finance solutions.
Advisers choose FMT for our experienced team, personal approach, local expertise and responsive, solution-focused service. While mainstream banks have stepped back, our relationship-first strategy has driven strong customer loyalty and repeat business.
In 2024 – a year in which several lenders exited or scaled back – FMT remained resilient. We maintained a conservative average LVR of 46% and grew our team by 15%, reflecting our commitment to steady growth, a personal approach, flexibility and trust.
Adviser partnerships are central to our success. While others tightened lending criteria, we continued to support advisers and their clients. We also invested significantly in technology and talent to enhance the adviser and borrower experience, improving turnaround times, approval speeds and responsiveness. And despite market challenges, our investment fund grew to over $1.7 billion and is now approaching $2 billion, expanding our lending capacity.
FMT CEO Paul Bendall said, “It’s great to be recognised by the industry for the amazing work that our team is doing for our customers.”
Holly Sullivan
Founder
When I first entered the banking world, I was told to focus on helping people, and everything else would fall into place. I took that to heart and made it my mission to bring exceptional customer service to The Mortgage Girls.
Sure, the numbers are important – we’re running a business, after all. But more than closed deals, The Mortgage Girls is a reflection of the passion and care we put into every single client interaction. Ten years and multiple awards later, nothing has changed. We’re still all about continuous improvement to deliver the best possible experience for our clients.
Founder
Holly Sullivan
Ben Webster
Co-founder and Head of Product
Ben Webster, co-founder of AGILE, is also the driving force behind other successful insurtechs like Insured by Us and SanctionsCheck.co. With decades of experience in founding and scaling remote-first companies across multiple time zones, Ben has mastered the art of managing diverse skill sets. He is also a co-founder of Insurtech Australia, further cementing his reputation as a key industry influencer. His multifaceted experience in both traditional insurance and technological innovation makes him a unique asset to AGILE.
Co-founder and Head of Product
Ben Webster
Nick Goritsas is a seasoned insurance executive with over 30 years in the field, focusing on operational and financial improvements. He previously served as CFO and head of risk management at W.R. Berkley Insurance Australia and was the founding CFO at DUAL Australia. As the APRA Alternate Agent in Australia for W.R. Berkley, Nick brought an extra layer of compliance and risk mitigation to the table. His proficiency in finance and risk management provides AGILE with a strategic advantage in these critical areas.
Co-founder and Group CFO
Nick Goritsas
Chris Meaker has over 21 years of experience in the finance industry with a focus on lending, business development and sales management. Prior to joining Brighten, he worked for La Trobe Financial, where he was an Executive General Manager and Head of Origination Channels. Previously, he worked for Pepper Financial Services Group as State Manager and Senior Business Development Manager.
Head of Distribution
Chris Meaker
Chris Meaker has over 21 years of experience in the finance industry with a focus on lending, business development and sales management. Prior to joining Brighten, he worked for La Trobe Financial, where he was an Executive General Manager and Head of Origination Channels. Previously, he worked for Pepper Financial Services Group as State Manager and Senior Business Development Manager.
Head of Distribution
Chris Meaker
Nick Goritsas is a seasoned insurance executive with over 30 years in the field, focusing on operational and financial improvements. He previously served as CFO and head of risk management at W.R. Berkley Insurance Australia and was the founding CFO at DUAL Australia. As the APRA Alternate Agent in Australia for W.R. Berkley, Nick brought an extra layer of compliance and risk mitigation to the table. His proficiency in finance and risk management provides AGILE with a strategic advantage in these critical areas.
Co-founder and Group CFO
Nick Goritsas
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Lending is from the First Mortgage Trust Group Investment Fund. First Mortgage Managers Limited, the issuer, is not a registered bank under the Banking (Prudential Supervision) Act 1989. Product Disclosure Statements are available at fmt.co.nz
