Movers & Shakers

YBR Group appoints new leader to grow franchisee network

Yellow Brick Road (YBR) Group has appointed Danny Chronopoulos as new head of network performance and franchising.

In his new role, Chronopoulos will be responsible for growing and enhancing the aggregation group’s services to both customers and its existing franchise network.

The former senior manager for network performance joined YBR in October 2023 and draws upon more than three decades of experience in the financial services industry, including nine years with Bank of Sydney, 12 years as a Mortgage Choice franchisee, and more than a decade as a senior branch manager at Westpac.

Chronopoulos said he was “incredibly excited” to take on the role and “drive meaningful growth and innovation across [the] network”.

“My vision is to build a network that sets the standard in the industry – one where every broker feels empowered, supported, and ready to exceed their goals,” he said.

RedZed hires new GM of sales

RedZed has announced the appointment of Nathan Taddeo as general manager of sales, a newly created role that sees him lead the non-bank lender’s sales strategy and operations.

Taddeo will lead RedZed’s national team of business development managers (BDMs) and direct sales managers to boost broker businesses, enhance customer experience, and grow RedZed’s market presence.

Natalie Irvine, RedZed chief sales and marketing officer, said Taddeo brought a wealth of expertise to the new role.

“Nathan has lodged numerous self-employed customers with us in the past, so he’s highly familiar with our brand, our commitment to supporting small-business owners, and our unwavering support of the third-party distribution channel,” Irvine said.

“Not only will his understanding of brokers, aggregators, and the broader lending market be invaluable to our business and help to drive growth, but Nathan’s values also closely align with ours.”

Loan Market bolsters NSW and ACT leadership team

Loan Market has announced the appointment of Stephen Scahill as state director for NSW and ACT, a part of a concerted effort to improve broker support in the state and territory.

Scahill has been at Loan Market and LMG for more than a decade and will operate in an expanded capacity, retaining his current position as group executive, commercial finance.

During Scahill’s tenure, LMG Commercial Finance has become one of Australia’s largest networks of commercial brokers.

David McQueen, Loan Market CEO, said he was looking forward to seeing what Scahill would bring to the role.

“Change is constant in our industry, and that’s why having a familiar face like Steve leading NSW and ACT is a win for brokers,” McQueen said.

“Steve’s experience and understanding of brokers is second to none. He’s not just about business growth; he’s about building a network where brokers feel part of a family; where support is real and success is mutual.”

AMP welcomes new digital banking leader

AMP Bank has welcomed John Arnott as director for small business and personal banking, leading its new digital banking division.

Arnott boasts more than 20 years’ experience in the banking space, including roles at ING Australia, Commonwealth Bank of Australia, and MyState.

Most recently, Arnott was tribe lead for customer growth for e-commerce at WooliesX, the digital arm of supermarket giant Woolworths.

At AMP, Arnott will lead the new digital banking proposition that will specifically target sole traders and small businesses with one to 20 employees, providing a range of transaction and savings accounts.

Arnott said he was “thrilled” to join the AMP Bank team as it enters “an exciting new phase of growth”.

“One of the main reasons I joined AMP is because of its clear vision to support Australian small businesses, who are currently under-supported by the banking industry,” he said.