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Over the past 12 months, many of the winners and finalists have expanded their businesses, launched new initiatives, and refined the processes that earned them recognition in the first place.
We caught up with some of the brokers from the 2025 awards to find out what they have been working on since their success and where innovation is taking them next.
Justine McKinnon – director and senior broker for ARK Property and Finance (winner of 2025 Metro Broker)
Since winning Innovator of the Year – Metro Broker, Justine McKinnon has co-founded ARK Property and Finance alongside fellow broker and partner Duane Pedron.
“One of the biggest innovations has been moving away from the traditional office model entirely. ARK Property and Finance was established as a fully online business from day one,” she said.
“This has allowed us to service clients Australia-wide, increase flexibility for both our team and our clients, reduce overheads, improve profitability and create more time to focus on what matters most, delivering exceptional client outcomes while maintaining a healthy work/life balance.”
McKinnon said the new business has also focused heavily on streamlining systems, automation, and operational efficiencies, helping increase settlement volumes.
Alongside the launch of ARK Property and Finance, McKinnon also introduced a new project called ‘Money Chaos’.
“‘Money Chaos’ is an initiative designed to address the financial overwhelm many Australians are experiencing in the current economic environment,” McKinnon said.
“Through education, practical guidance and honest conversations about money, the project aims to help people better understand their options and take meaningful steps towards improving their financial position.”
Rebecca Timms – director and mortgage broker of Realise Home Loans (winner of 2025 New Broker)
For Rebecca Timms, innovation has taken many forms. While technology has been a key facilitator in her business, she sees it as the starting point rather than the end goal.
“For me, technology in itself is not innovation. Using it well is vital, but the real innovation is in knowing what it should support,” she said.
“Before implementing any new efficiency, I ask myself whether it will bring me closer to my clients, help me communicate more clearly, or create a calmer and more confident experience for them. If the answer is yes, then I know it is worth prioritising.”
Since winning Innovator of the Year – New Broker, this philosophy has underpinned the way Timms has continued to build her business, with every process and system change viewed through the lens of the client experience.
Rather than focusing solely on operational efficiencies, she said her goal has always been to create more time and space to support clients through what is often one of the biggest financial decisions of their lives.
“This relationship-centred approach has guided what I implement, what I prioritise and how I structure the client experience,” she said.
“It means I am always looking at improvement from the client’s perspective, not just my own. The goal is not simply to make the process easier for me, but to make the experience better for the person going through it.
“A client process with fewer friction points, combined with a broker who has the time, availability and energy to properly support them, has helped build a foundation of strong relationships, where clients feel they have someone genuinely in their corner throughout the process.”
Julian Choo – mortgage broker for Loan Market (finalist for New Broker)
Following the 2025 Broker Innovation Awards, Julian Choo identified a common challenge facing many of his clients.
“For many first home buyers, the hardest part is not just getting a loan approved. It is understanding what they can afford, knowing what to do after pre-approval, working out whether a property is worth the price, deciding how much to offer, and feeling confident in auction or negotiation situations,” he said.
Recognising this gap, Choo launched Buyer Support Services, an end-to-end offering designed to guide clients through every stage of the property purchasing journey.
“We support clients from the early research stage through to pre-approval, property search, offer strategy, auction preparation, contract and finance conditions, and settlement,” Choo said.
“We help clients understand comparable sales, assess whether a property fits their budget and strategy, and make more informed decisions before they commit.
“We have also created a more structured and repeatable client journey, particularly for first home buyers.
“Instead of relying on one-off conversations, we use clearer processes, proactive check-ins, education touchpoints, and post-approval support so clients do not feel like they are left on their own once the bank says yes.”
Choo said the idea stemmed from a recurring gap he observed after clients had secured loan approval.
“We identified the opportunity by paying attention to where clients became anxious, confused, or stuck. We also looked at where deals were delayed, where clients hesitated, and where they needed more guidance from us,” Choo said.
“The driving force behind all of these changes was simple: we wanted clients to feel supported before, during, and after the loan process.”
Celebrating innovation
Winners for this year’s Broker Innovation Awards will be announced at the awards ceremony at Ilumina, Sydney, on Wednesday, 24 June 2026.
The black-tie gala event will showcase the depth of talent of professionals and teams across the nation’s mortgage industry while affirming the sector’s essential role in supporting the expansion of Australia.
Buy tickets for the awards here.
Tickets are still available for the event, as they are for the Business Innovation Summit – two one-day events in Sydney (24 June) and Melbourne (3 July) – exploring the cutting edge of tech and how brokers can actually apply it to win. Find out more here.
[Related: How brokers are pushing the industry forward in 2026]
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