Mortgage Choice has named Allianz Australia as the exclusive partner of its Aspire program for the next two years, in a move aimed at addressing the persistent underrepresentation of women in the mortgage broking industry.
Aspire launched in 2020 in response to a declining share of women in the broking workforce. According to data published by the Mortgage & Finance Association of Australia (MFAA), the proportion of women in the industry has remained at or around 27%, despite the total broker population reaching its highest number on record.
Mortgage Choice executive manager of corporate communications, events and franchise marketing Sally Chadwick said the partnership reflected a shared belief in the value of a more diverse industry.
“At Mortgage Choice, we believe the broking industry should reflect the diverse Australian communities we serve. When borrowers can access advice from professionals who understand their lived experience, everyone benefits,” Chadwick said.
“It’s no secret that gender imbalance remains one of the biggest opportunities facing the broking industry. While we are proud that Mortgage Choice exceeds the industry average, with women representing 33% of our brokers, we know there is more to do.”
She added that programs fostering community and development for women remained critical.
“Allianz shares this vision, and we look forward to working with the team at Allianz to continue to provide a platform that genuinely supports and inspires the next generation of women in broking,” Chadwick said.
Allianz head of partnerships Christie Paton said the company had long advocated for gender equity in financial services. Allianz is a founding member of the Champions of Change Coalition for the insurance industry and holds a seat on the Insurance Council of Australia’s DEI and Talent Working Group.
“We are thrilled to be partnering with Mortgage Choice on the Aspire program and look forward to working closely with the aggregator and their brokers on creating a more equitable and inclusive broking industry,” Paton said.
Aspire delivers its program through national roadshows, state-based events, and virtual masterclasses covering professional branding, leadership, and wellbeing. Past speakers have included Jo Malone CBE, Shadé Zahrai, Franziska Iseli, and Katrina Barry.
The first event under the new partnership is a national roadshow scheduled for later this month, with stops in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, and Perth. Engineer, entrepreneur and thought leader Dr Yemi Penn will deliver the keynote, exploring her framework of Rebellious Curiosity – a concept centred on questioning assumptions to reimagine professional and personal possibilities.
