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The former Smartline CEO has joined the financial services group to lead its new mergers and acquisitions function.
Industry stalwart Sam Boer – who has extensive leadership experience in the broking industry, including as the CEO of aggregation group Smartline (now part of Mortgage Choice) and as a former head of broker for the Commonwealth Bank of Australia (CBA) – has joined Victorian-headquartered financial services group Empower Wealth as its new business development director.
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Boer had been working with Empower Wealth on an advisory basis since 2023 but became the group’s business development director on 3 June to lead its new mergers and acquisitions (M&A) function.
In his new position, he will be tasked with identifying, assessing, and working collaboratively with established brokers and businesses looking to transfer the custodianship of their client base to Empower Wealth Mortgage Advisory.
Empower Wealth CEO Jamie Sinclair highlighted that Boer’s expertise made him the right man for the job, describing the new hire as “a great collaborator” who “looks for and creates genuine value-exchange in life and in business”.
Sinclair said: “As the mortgage broking industry continues to evolve, Sam is a great hire for Empower Wealth on a number of levels. Firstly, his professional pedigree in financial services, third-party banking and mortgage broking not only enriches our existing team’s expertise but also aligns perfectly with our purpose to serve aspiring Australians.
“Sam’s position on our advisory board since 2023 has given him a deep understanding of our business model and our strategic vision, which focuses on providing our range of integrated services to our clients. His advisory board role also means that our group of businesses have already been the beneficiaries of his energy, ideas and appetite for business improvement and growth.
“We’re thrilled that he’s agreed to join our team and can’t wait to tap further into the experience and energy he will bring to our clients and our team.”
Commenting on his new role as Empower Wealth’s business development director, Boer said: “This past year I have been working with Ben and Jamie in an advisory capacity and was honoured when they asked me to join and help lead Empower Wealth’s new Mergers and Acquisitions function.
“Our plan is to not only realise value for maturing mortgage broker businesses looking to transition out of the industry, but also by helping as many of their clients as possible achieve financial freedom through the Empower Wealth platform and services we provide.”
Why create a specialist M&A function?
The new position has been created by the property and financial investment advice group as it looks to monopolise on the fact that the first generation of mortgage brokers are now looking to retire, while others are looking to join forces with larger brokerages.
The group noted that as the broking industry continues to mature as a profession and meet increasing regulatory obligations, brokers will need to continue to evolve their service proposition.
It added that the group believed there was “strength in scale” that enables the group to “consistently and reliably elevate the service proposition to meet the expectations of clients” and “provide a solid foundation for future growth”.
Speaking to The Adviser about the new function, Empower Wealth founder and managing director Ben Kingsley said: “As a fully integrated wealth advisory business that specialises in property, money management and wealth building, we are a perfect fit – and safe pair of hands – for a retiring broker or business owner looking to ensure their clients are going to be well looked after after they retire.
“What’s more, if the profile of their clients matches well with the profile of new clients we are seeking, they can expect to get a great offer from us.
“Having worked in financial services for over 35 years, my career has grown and evolved in parallel with the mortgage broking industry, where I have forged strong relationships and a deep understanding of the industry.
“As a maturing industry, we need to prepare for the next stage which will see unprecedented change largely driven by digital technologies, industry consolidation plus ongoing scrutiny and challenge.”
To hear more about how Empower Wealth grew from a broking business to a property and investment advice financial services group, come along to the New Broker Academy 2024 to hear how Ben Kingsley built his thriving financial services group.
The New Broker Academy 2024 will be held on the following dates:
- Thursday, 13 June: Sofitel on Collins, Melbourne, Victoria.
- Wednesday, 26 June: Montage, Lilyfield, NSW.
Places for this free event are limited, so book your seat now by registering here.
For more information about the conference, including agenda and speakers, click here.
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