Sydney 2024
23 – 25 October
We can’t wait to welcome you to Sydney for Resolve Finance’s fifth annual franchise partner conference.
This year Connect will be the central theme for our conference. Speaking around these topics, you’ll hear from two impressive keynote speakers, Resolve and ABN executive, plus you’ll have even more opportunities to share and learn from each other.
Annual awards will be presented and celebrated.
The event is open to all franchise partners, support staff and partners. For more information or questions about the event, please contact our event partners Bianca Berger or Ashleigh Lincoln at TRIBE Group: resolve@tribe-group.com.au.
Event Information
Agenda
Day 1 23 Oct 2024
Morning (FAC only)
Time
<p>Morning – TBC</p>Franchise Advisory Group meeting
Private Dining Room, Pier One Sydney Harbour
Topic
Quarterly meeting
Afternoon
Time
<p>From midday</p>Delegates, sponsors and partners arrive
Transfers from Sydney Airport to Pier One Sydney Harbour
Topic
Your specific transfer times will be confirmed closer to the event
Evening
Time
<p>6.20pm – 10.00pm</p> <p>Meet in hotel lobby at 6.20pm</p>Welcome cocktail event
The Jackson super yacht
Topic
- Dress: Cocktail
- Meet in the lobby at 6.20pm for a walking transfer to St Ives Steps (10 min walk)
- Boat departs will depart 6.45pm – don’t be late!
- Find out more about The Jackson
Day 2 24 Oct 2024
Morning session - Water Room, Pier One
Time
<p>8.00am – 8.30am</p>Coffee and catch up
Outside the Water Room
Topic
- Dress: business casual
- Doors open from 8.15am
Time
<p>8.30am – 9.00am</p>Presenter
Don Crellin
Managing Director, Resolve Finance
Topic
Welcome
Time
<p>9.00am – 10.00am</p>Presenter
Bastien Treptel
Co-founder of CTRL Group
Topic
Keynote: Bastien Treptel
Time
<p>10.00am – 10.20am</p>Morning tea
Served outside the Water Room
Time
<p>10.20am – 11.10am</p>Presenter
Dale Alcock
Managing Director, ABN Group
Aidan Hooper
Managing Director, ABN Group Vic
Andrew Roberts
Chief Executive Officer, ABN Group
Don Crellin
Managing Director, Resolve Finance
Topic
On the couch: ABN Group leadership team panel
Time
<p>11.10am – 11.40am</p>Presenter
Anja Pannek
CEO, MFAA
Topic
Q&A with Anja Pannek
Time
<p>11.40am – 11.45am</p>Presenter
Sandy Paravizzini
General Manager, Retail
Topic
Wrap up and overview of afternoon workshops
Time
<p>11.45am – 12.30pm</p>Lunch
Buffet served outside the Water Room
Afternoon session - Dawes Point rooms
Time
<p>12.30pm – 3.30pm</p>3 x workshops
Break into your pre-allocated groups
Topic
- The economics of expansion: Simon Ward, Finspective.
- Learning from the legends – how this successful broker built his business: Michael Daniels, Mortgage Choice – Central Coast NSW
- Peer group open forum
Time
<p>3.30pm</p>Close
Topic
Afternoon at leisure
Evening
Time
<p>6.30pm – 11.00pm</p> <p>Event starts 7.00pm</p>Awards dinner
Sydney Opera House
Topic
Dinner and awards
- Dress: formal
- Meet in the hotel lobby at 6.30pm for a 20 min walk to the Opera House
- Alternatively meet us at the venue at 7.00pm
- We will be in the Yallamundi rooms
Day 3 25 Oct 2024
Morning session - Dawes Point rooms
Time
<p>8.30am – 10.30am</p>2 x workshops
Break into your pre-allocated groups
Topic
Workshop topics
- Customisations
- Customer care and retention
Hosted by your state managers and nominated peers.
Tea and coffee served between workshops.
Time
<p>10.30am – 11.00am</p>Morning tea
Topic
Use this time to get ready for lunch, as we will be leaving right after our keynote presentation
Time
<p>11.00am – 12.00pm</p>Presenter
Naomi Simson
Co-Founder - Non Exec Director Big Red Group; Entrepreneur; Business Owner; Author
Topic
Keynote: Naomi Simson
Time
<p>12.00pm – 12.20pm</p>Presenter
Sandy Paravizzini
General Manager, Retail
Topic
Close
Afternoon
Time
<p>12.45pm – 5.00pm</p>Long lunch
Watsons Bay Hotel, Watsons Bay
Topic
- Dress: casual
- Water taxis depart the Pier One jetty from 12.45pm (access via hotel lobby)
- Return via Sydney ferry, at your leisure. Tickets provided
- Find out more about Watsons Bay Hotel
Day 4 26 Oct 2024
Morning
Time
<p>From 8.30am</p>Departure
Topic
- Transfers to Sydney airport
- You will be contacted in advance to let you know what time your transfer is
Get to know the speakers
Naomi Simson Co-Founder - Non Exec Director Big Red Group; Entrepreneur; Business Owner; Author
For 25 years as an entrepreneur, Naomi Simson has been bringing people together whether it’s with her experience businesses, her speaking or writing. Passionate about small business and local community, Naomi is considered a home grown success story.
Naomi had a corporate career with Apple, KPMG, IBM and Ansett Australia prior to becoming an entrepreneur. She is a prolific blogger, podcaster and business commentator, and appeared as the #RedShark in four seasons of Shark Tank Australia and she appears regularly on ABC The Drum. She is a non-executive director at Big Red Group, Australian Payments Plus, Colonial First State and Weebit Nano, as we as the Cerebral Palsy Research Foundation and the University of Melbourne Business and Economics Faculty.
Bastien Treptel Co-founder of CTRL Group
At the age of 14 Bastien Treptel was given his first computer, by the age of 16, the police came knocking. Bastien had used his hacking skills to get into one of the big four banks and access credit cards. It was his love of pizza that led to the police tracking him down and ultimately reforming his ways.
Years later, Bastien founded CTRL Group to combat cybercrime and in November 2021 sold the company for millions.
Bastien now uses his time to spread the word on how dangerous and creative cyber criminals are and how you can protect your business and personal life.
He is the co-founder of CTRL Group – Australia’s progressive information security firm, protecting businesses from cyber risk. CTRL Group offers best-in-class security solutions ranging from audits, hacking, monitoring, advisory and education.
Anja Pannek CEO, MFAA
Anja Pannek has been CEO of Mortgage & Finance Association of Australia (MFAA) since September 2022.
Anja is an experienced leader in financial services with over 20 years’ experience in the sector, and has a proven track record of leading successful businesses within the third-party channel including aggregator businesses and mortgage distribution for major financial services firms.
Anja thrives in complex and uncertain environments and through her vast experience in financial services, she has an exceptionally strong understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing the Australian mortgage and finance broking industry.
Dale Alcock Managing Director, ABN Group
Dale Alcock is a homegrown success story, from bricklayer to Australia’s leading home builder. His reputation has become synonymous with quality, excellence and distinction.
He commenced his career as an apprentice bricklayer in 1979 in the small Wheatbelt town of Kellerberrin. Under the direction of his father, Dale learned practical skills that would stay with him for life. But more importantly, he gained valuable tactical knowledge and experience that would shape his career and ultimately the future of Australia’s building industry.
Under the leadership of Dale as Managing Director, the ABN Group operates in Western Australia and Victoria and has built almost 70,000 homes across the two states. It is comprised of 20 companies with more than 1400 employees, approximately 100 apprentices and 1500 contractors.
Don Crellin Managing Director, Resolve Finance
Over the past 17 years, Don has grown Resolve Finance into a successful and award winning mortgage broking business. For six years running, Resolve Finance has ranked in the top ten of The Adviser’s national Top 25 Brokerages poll – one of Australia’s most respected lists of mortgage brokers and has won numerous other industry awards. Since inception in 1997, Resolve has financed over 21,000 homes and now operates in WA and Victoria.
A wealth of knowledge and expertise that spans over three decades, Don Crellin is one of Western Australia’s leading financial minds.
Aidan Hooper Managing Director, ABN Group Vic
Aidan Hooper joined ABN Group in 1991 and has played a significant role in driving and developing the unique and dynamic culture of the group, contributing to our continued success in the Victorian market.
ABN Group proudly leads Australia’s construction and property sectors with an impressive portfolio of over 20 companies in Western Australia and Victoria. Since 1978, ABN Group has built over 90,000 homes across both states and developed projects valued at over $1 billion in commercial, residential, and property development. ABN’s commitment to excellence and innovation has placed us at the forefront of the industry, delivering high-quality outcomes for our clients and communities.
In 2023, Aidan Hooper and Dale Alcock established Buildlab, which brings new value to speculative building. By integrating decades of unparalleled industry experience with innovative technology, Buildlab challenges traditional end-to-end construction methods to deliver a market-redefining product and experience.
Sandy Paravizzini General Manager, Retail
Following the completion of a degree in Commerce and a successful Banking career with ANZ of over 17 years, Sandy joined Resolve Finance to establish the business in Victoria in 2011.
He has driven the growth of the Resolve business in the state through partnerships with residential builders and is focused on growing the team’s distribution network. Sandy brings fantastic relationships with key internal and external stakeholders, which has assisted in increasing the awareness of Resolve Finance’s strong capabilities in both the consumer and industry space.
Well-known and reputable within industry circles, Sandy Paravizzini is a knowledgeable source of all finance related information.
Andrew Roberts Chief Executive Officer, ABN Group
Andrew Roberts joined ABN Group in 2018. As Chief Executive Officer, he is responsible for overseeing the ABN Group’s operations and providing strategic direction for the Group’s more than 20 property, construction and finance companies.
Before joining ABN Group, Andrew was Executive Director at Gerard Marc & Co, a Sydney-based boutique consulting and advisory business. Prior to this, he worked at Arrium Limited as Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer where he was responsible for a portfolio of businesses including mining, steel manufacturing, steel distribution, recycling, infrastructure and mining consumables.
Logistics & need to know
Where’s the conference being held?
Pier One Sydney Harbour. Find out more about the hotel.
What are the conference workshops and which group am I in?
We have two sets of workshops.
Thursday
You will attend three workshops. Delegates will be grouped by business stage. The topics are:
- The economics of expansion: Simon Ward, Finspective
- Learning from the legends – how this successful broker built his business: Michael Daniels, Mortgage Choice, Central Coast NSW
- Peer group open forum
Friday
You will attend two workshops, where you’ll be in mixed groups. The topics are:
- Customisations
- Customer care and retention
You’ll find out your groups when you arrive at conference.
What is the dress code for the conference?
- Day 1: Welcome event – cocktail
- Day 2: Conference sessions – business casual
- Day 2: Awards dinner – formal
- Day 3: Long lunch – casual
Where are the functions being held?
- Welcome function on The Jackson super yacht. We’ll depart from a jetty which is a 10 minute walk from the hotel.
- Awards dinner will be at the Sydney Opera House, in the Yallamundi private function rooms. You access the room from outside of the Opera House. Instead of taking the main steps up, walk around to the left and you’ll see our team directing you in. We will walk to the Opera House, from the hotel, leaving at 6.30pm. It’s an approx 20 min walk. Alternatively meet us there by 7.00pm.
- Friday long lunch will be at the Watson’s Bay Hotel in Watson’s Bay. We will get there by water taxi. These will depart from the Pier One jetty from 12.45pm. You can return to the city when you like via the public ferry system. We will provide you with a ferry ticket.
How do I arrange transfers to and from Pier One?
You will be contacted by Tribe Management, our Event Management company, to discuss your transfers to and from the hotel, and return. If your flight doesn’t meet one of our transfers, it’s an easy train to Circular Quay or quick taxi.
You are responsible for your own transfers to and from your home airport.
Which flights will transfers be organised for?
Perth
Inbound – Wed 23 Oct, 2024
QF644
Departs: 0805
Arrives: 1510
Outbound – Sat 26 Oct, 2024
VA557
Departs: 1130
Arrives: 1345
Melbourne
Inbound – Wed 23 Oct, 2024
VA845
Departs: 1300
Arrives: 1425
Outbound – Sat 26 Oct, 2024
QF441
Departs: 1200
Arrives 1335
Brisbane
Inbound – Wed 23 Oct, 2024
VA946
Departs: 1205
Arrives: 1440
Outbound – Sat 26 Oct, 2024
VA935
Departs: 1100
Arrives: 1130
Gold Coast
Inbound – Wed 23 Oct, 2024
VA520
Departs: 1225
Arrives: 1455
Outbound – Sat 26 Oct, 2024
VA737
Departs: 1125
Arrives: 1145
If your flights are at different times, you are responsible for your own transfers to/from the airport. You are welcome to contact Tribe directly to discuss the best transfer options.
Awards
Awards 2024
We look forward to presenting our annual awards to our winners on Thursday 24 October at our awards dinner at the Sydney Opera House.
Each year we present the following awards. Listed below are our 2023 recipients.
Diversification award: Recognises the franchise partner who has financially contributed to and supported our internal business partners, including Bluebay Home Loans, ABN Group Builders, Resolve Conveyancing, My Home Plan and Asset Finance. This award is weighted by product/ service usage.
- 2023 winner: Daniel Johnston, Trigg & North Beach, WA
Brand ambassador award: This is awarded to a franchise partner who demonstrates outstanding brand promotion throughout the year. The marketing team and management will choose the winner based on factors including: local area marketing investment; branded assets including cars and offices; sponsorship; social media and traditional media; contribution to community.
- 2023 winner: Niti Bhargava, Derrimut, Vic
Customer service award: this year the criteria will change to:
The award recognises excellence in customer service by measuring the number of 5 star google reviews as a percentage of deals, where the broker has a minimum of 20 deals for the year. Customer complaints will void a broker’s eligibility.
- 2023 winner: Taylar Stephens, South Melbourne, Vic
Rising star award: Awarded to the franchise partner or loan writer who has achieved the highest settlement volume in the financial year. To be considered, the franchise partner or loan writer must have commenced on or after 1 July 2022. Those who have purchased a loan book are ineligible.
- 2023 winner: Danny Madeira, Berwick, Vic
Franchise appreciation award: Franchise partners are given the opportunity to vote for one Resolve Finance head office staff member who has gone above and beyond to support their business. Eligible staff are nominated by Resolve management.
- 2023 winner: Brooke Leembruggen
Franchise settlements award: Recognises the top 10 franchise businesses based on their settlement volumes in FY24. Awards will be given to the top 3 businesses
- 2023 winners: 1. South Melbourne, Taylar Stephens; 2. Trigg & North Beach, Daniel Johnston; 3. Caroline Springs, Adam Brink
Franchise partner of the year: This pinnacle award recognises a franchise partner for their contribution to the business, to the franchise community and to our customers.
- Gate opener: Settlement performance. Must have finished in top 50% of all franchisee settlements in FY24
- Satisfactory compliance conduct
- Nominated considerations: Examples of franchisee displaying cultural values, contribution back to growth of the business, local community engagement, peer support and customers support.
Nominations are reviewed and determined by Don Crellin and Sandy Paravizzini.
- 2023 winner: Liam O’Donnell, Rockingham, WA
Our partners
Thank you to our conference partners
We look forward to welcoming our conference partners to Sydney:
- Commonwealth Bank and SFG
- Bankwest and Funding
- ALI, Index Wealth, Platform Finance and Intogreat
Not only do our partners support us throughout the year, but in particular they have enabled us to bring you some outstanding keynote speakers in 2024. We thank them for their support of our annual conference and for their ongoing support year after year.
Please join us in making our partners feel welcome through the formal and social events.
Partner program
Partners who have registered to attend the partner program will enjoy a day of history, sites and delicious local food, while you’re taken on a walking tour with a local guide.
Meet in the hotel lobby at 9.45am.
Participants will be back at the hotel by 3.30pm, which aligns to the end of the conference.