Our People

As Managing Director of Specialist Finance Group (SFG), William has been instrumental in the firm's leadership, development and growth both nationally and internationally. His vast experience has been built from an extensive career, 13 years of which were spent in the building and development industry.

William’s extensive knowledge, valuable insights, strong eye for detail and inexorable commitment to abide by the highest standards for ethical and legislative practices continues to ensure SFG’s ability and reputation to provide our valued members with industry-leading solutions prevails. William is also a proud father of three, and he passionately enjoys being a mentor to many.

Blake Buchanan joined the SFG executive in 2018 and has been in the broker channel of the finance industry for some 18 years. Blake has covered many areas of the third party including broking, banking, product distribution and more recently aggregation.

Blake has excelled in the aggregation community and has become well known for his high industry standards, unique broker insights, and business strategies that has seen him become a highly respected business builder of the industry. Blake established SFG's Sydney office and has overseen the company's significant strategic growth in recent years.

Simon is a passionate advocate for the Third Party space, having worked in aggregation, broking and securitisation the last 25 years and is a strong supporter of the many benefits brokers provide their clients and referral partners. Prior to that he also spent 10 years with a major lender gaining experience in retail, commercial and international banking.

Simon has profiled and worked with dozens of successful brokers and brokerages over the years to understand what sets a good business apart from a great business. A common trait of the great businesses, apart from the drive of the business owners was their effective systems and processes that were regularly reviewed and updated.

Simon brings this best practice industry experience to the SFG team where he is tasked with reviewing and improving our operations to the benefit of all SFG members and business partners.

Zyra joined SFG in 2014, bringing over 8 years wealth of global accounting knowledge and experience. Zyra’s career included roles with global firms where she managed corporate clients such as Johnson and Johnson and Sara Lee North America. Zyra has also held the senior position of Associate Accountant with Duetsche Bank where she was responsible for the accounting functions in North America, Great Britain and Germany.

Zyra manages and oversees the entire operations of the SFG accounting department. With strong abilities in corporate accounting and with high attention to detail, our members can be assured of timely commission and payment accuracy.

As National Compliance Manager, Mark is responsible for leading our compliance team and ensuring SFG remains at the forefront of all compliance and better business practices for all members.

Mark brings to SFG extensive industry experience, which includes 10 years as the National Training Manager at AFG and 5 years running a successful finance consultancy business. Mark also has 5 years of mortgage broking experience.

The combination of these capabilities means that Mark has the essential compliance knowledge and hands-on experience in finance broking to ensure SFG and its members are able to meet their compliance obligations in a practical and relevant manner.

Steve joined SFG in 2007, bringing a wealth of knowledge from his expansive career in the finance industry. Having previously been a Managing Director of mortgage brokering firms, Steve knows what it takes to succeed as a broker in this industry, and he uses this knowledge to ensure that SFG continue to deliver and improve upon the solutions provided to members. His future vision includes the option for new members to come on board with a unique and even more valuable offering. Steve liaises with our national lender panel to ensure that SFG continues to offer even greater flexibility to its members.

Marcus has been involved in finance industry for over 34 years with various lending and customer finance positions. He has proven experience working with mortgage brokers and aggregators in senior management leadership roles since 2003.

Prior to joining SFG in 2018, Marcus has shared his industry passion to assist many mortgage brokers in development and recruitment to establish growth opportunities within their own business for success. Marcus has a wealth of industry knowledge and is keen advocate with his years of experience for the mortgage and finance industry.

A passionate family man and father to five children he enjoys AFL and is regular community volunteer for brass music and competitions.

Hannah commenced her career in aggregation in 2009 where she has performed various roles including marketing, compliance, sales and business development. With this wealth of hands-on experience, Hannah brings with her an in-depth knowledge and understanding of aggregation, the broker channel and the finance industry at large.

Hannah is an energetic and results driven individual who is passionate about third party and is a devout advocate for brokers. Hannah prides herself on supporting brokers to grow and improve their businesses by utilising industry leading technology tools and practices to ensure efficiency and excellence is achieved for customer outcomes.

Hannah enjoys travelling and the outdoors. When she isn’t working you can almost be certain to find her on a mountain somewhere with either hiking boots or skis on.

Amy has worked with brokers in the third party space for over 20 years. Amy started her career in Melbourne at Aussie Home Loans, and since then have worked within major and second tier banks, mutuals, non-bank lenders and mortgage management firms.

Amy has significant experience in credit and complex lending as well as business development and relationship management. She is passionate about seeking out and building business relationships, coaching and mentoring; and has a real interest in seeing the Australian mortgage broking industry grow.

Outside of work, Amy is a keen cyclist who loves being outdoors or in the water. She also enjoys unwinding by watching movies or reading which is her “proper down time”.

Emma joined SFG in 2017 and manages all Queensland based SFG and Southern Cross Broker Network members. As part of her role, Emma is responsible for all industry training and development for Queensland members.

Emma has a proven track record in portfolio management and client acquisition, coupled with extensive residential credit writing and analysis skills. With a strong client focus and attention to detail along with a broad understanding of investment management and wealth creation strategies, Emma has a thorough understanding of integrated financial services and holds a Diploma of Financial Services- Finance / Mortgage Broking along with several other industry qualifications across Management and Lending.

Paul is responsible for all matters concerning SFGconnect on a National level. This includes all administration and training of the SFGconnect software platform for SFG members.

Paul has some 15 years industry experience and is well known as an expert in his field having serviced AFG and more recently Stargate group at National Levels.

Working in the finance industry since 1987, Chrissy brings with her extensive experience from working with Credit Unions and minor banks to working for three years as a BDM for PLAN Australia.

Chrissy has a sound knowledge of lending and credit, and provides a professional, friendly and efficient service to our Eastern States Members for all their administrative and development needs.

Prior to joining SFG in 2008, Piera's career comprised of over 20 years experience in finance consultation at a number of major builders in Western Australia. The valuable experience gained working in this dynamic sector allows Piera to accommodate for our members’ needs and requests with meticulous efficiency. She is well known for handling all challenges professionally and accurately, much to the satisfaction of our members and our own staff. Piera is an approachable, sincere and congenial part of the SFG team.

Alex brings over seven years of banking and financial services experience to SFG, and provides support throughout our network as a multi-skilled aggregation professional.

Alex plays a critical role in assisting our members to build dependable income streams through compliant and common-sense business processes, in addition to his work as a residential and commercial credit scenario specialist, file auditor, Diploma-qualified loan writer and MFAA-accredited mentor.

Helen Sloan has over 17 years experience in the banking and finance industry with her most recent roles supporting brokers within My Local Broker, Mortgage Choice and Aussie Home Loans.

Helen provides administration support to Victorian State Manager, Marcus O'Brien, as well as all SFG members based in Victoria.

Helen is currently studying life coaching and in her spare time she loves to cook and spend time with family and friends.