Former broker association chief takes the chair at 400-broker-strong aggregation network
Peter White (pictured) has taken his first industry role since leaving the Finance Brokers Association of Australia (FBAA) by joining Adelaide-based asset finance aggregator Optimise Aggregation as chairman of its advisory board.
The appointment puts one of broking's best-known advocates at the head of a board that already includes former AFG executive Chris Slater and financial services lawyer Peter Hagias. Optimise set up the board earlier this year amid a push for national expansion.
As chairman, White will work with the aggregator's leadership to provide strategic guidance. The business is growing its broker network, its technology platform and its presence in the Australian asset finance market.
"Peter has spent decades representing brokers and helping shape the finance broking industry in Australia, so having someone with his experience chair our advisory board is incredibly valuable to us,” said Optimise founder Bill Tsouvalas.
"Optimise has grown rapidly, but we are very conscious that as the business becomes larger, we need to continue strengthening the foundations around it. That means having the right governance, the right people around the table and, importantly, people who understand brokers and the industry we operate in."
Commenting on his appointment, White said: “I’ve watched what Bill and the team at Optimise have been building and there is a great deal of energy and ambition within the business.
“The aggregation market continues to evolve, and brokers increasingly expect more from their aggregator than simply access to lenders. Technology, business support, compliance, education and the ability to help brokers grow sustainable businesses are all becoming increasingly important.
“Optimise has made significant investment across these areas and has built strong momentum in the asset finance market. I’m looking forward to working with Bill, the leadership team and my fellow Advisory Board members as the business enters its next stage of growth.”
Inside Optimise's asset finance aggregation network
Tsouvalas launched Optimise five years ago as a dedicated aggregation arm of retail finance brokerage Savvy, which he launched in 2010.
It holds around 40 lender accreditations on the asset finance side and comprises a network of about 400 brokers.
The core of the Optimise offering is its proprietary AFOS platform, which the group describes as an end-to-end system built for asset finance. It covers lender comparison and servicing tools, compliance processes, workflow automation, customer and referral functions, and business management.
Tsouvalas said the aggregator would keep investing heavily in technology and broker support.
"We don't see growth as simply adding more brokers. The objective is to keep improving what we can deliver to each broker within the network," he said.
From FBAA volunteer to managing director
White's new role comes eight months after he announced his resignation as FBAA managing director in February after more than 23 years with the association.
Then-FBAA board chair Brett Spencer paid tribute to White at the time, saying: "Peter has been a general for this association for over 20 years, and like all retiring leaders, he will be missed by many.”
In June, the FBAA appointed former Access Mercantile chief executive Leo Gagic as chief executive and former federal minister Nick Sherry as chair.
Since then the 14,000-member body has rebuilt its executive team. Changes include the association's four new senior executive appointments in September. It has also appointed Mary-Helen Lockton as chief membership and experience officer.
Outside the FBAA, White founded the International Mortgage Brokers Federation in 2016. In the 2019 Queen's Birthday Honours he was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia for significant service to industry and the community.
Tsouvalas said the new chairman would help steer the aggregator's next phase.
"We want Optimise to be a business that continues to challenge what an asset finance aggregator should provide," he said. "Peter joining us as Chairman is another important step in building the experience and structure around the business to support that ambition."
