Over 200 brokers and industry leaders gathered in Sydney on Friday night to celebrate the success of the broking industry’s young achievers.
The Adviser , in partnership with Citi and Vow Financial, hosted its inaugural Rising Stars event at Bar 100 in The Rocks where the nation’s top 30 brokers under the age of 30 were named and the Young Broker of the Year revealed.
Western Australia-based broker James Chatfield of Chatfield Consulting was crowned this year’s winner after a successful 2015 financial year that also saw him achieve 9th place in The Adviser’s Elite Business Writers list – a ranking of the top 50 mortgage brokers in Australia.
Mr Chatfield said the broking industry, particular in WA, can be very challenging due to rapid changes in the mining sector transitioning from construction to production phase.
“The result of this has seen a reduction in investment purchases and a shift towards owner-occupier purchases,” he said.
“A young broker working in this retracting market will be forced to look at alternatives for business solutions.”
In addition to providing mortgage solutions, Chatfield Consulting offers financial planning. Through a partnership with a veteran in the wealth space, Mr Chatfield has been able to effectively manage and develop this part of his business.
Over the next 12 months the 2015 Young Broker of the Year said he will finalise the launch of his Queensland office and look to open an office in Sydney.
Overall, this year’s 30 under 30 were responsible for writing 4,614 mortgages, worth a combined $2,149,470,191 – an impressive 11 per cent increase year-on-year.
This year The Adviser welcomed 11 new entrants to its list of young achievers.
Click here for the full report. Photos from the Rising Stars event will be posted on The Adviser website shortly.