Management Team
Firstfolio’s leaders bring decades of experience and a history of success.
Mark Forsyth – Chief Executive Officer
Mark has had a 25 year international career working as CFO, COO and CEO in the UK, Europe, Middle East, Africa, USA and Asia.
Commencing his international career with DHL Worldwide Express, Mark spent thirteen years in corporate finance and general management and then 7 years consulting to various Australian companies on entering the Asian market. His main areas of focus being market penetration, business development, corporate restructure and mergers and acquisitions.
Prior to Firstfolio, Mark was a corporate advisor to the COBRA Group, working on the group’s expansion in South East Asia among other strategic initatives.
Since joining Firstfolio in 2006, Mark has restructured the Group’s operations to support growth in the loan portfolio from $1 billion to more than $21 billion. Under Mark’s direction Firstfolio has completed a series of acquisitions including the Group’s aggregation business Lawfund, Australia’s leading online mortgage company eChoice, and a range of boutique mortgage brokerage and finance businesses.
Mark Flack – Product Development – Mergers & Acquisitions
Mark oversees the development of the lead management platform and eChoice web presence. This involves the management of an internal development team focused on delivering a positive customer experience for eChoice and comprehensive sales and pipeline management. This role includes managing the overall lead generation program operated by eChoice and identifying new product initiatives designed to extend the offering to consumers.
Having been involved with the business since 2000 Mark has extensive knowledge of the various systems and processes both in place today and those used historically. Further, he works closely with Mark Forsyth on merger and acquisition activity and strategy development and review. Merger and acquisition activity involves negotiation with prospective Vendors through to managing due diligence and deal construction.
Dustine Pang – Chief Financial Officer
Dustine Pang is Firstfolio’s Chief Financial Officer and Company Secretary. He is responsible for all financial and fiscal management of the company’s operations.
Throughout his career, Dustine has gained extensive experience in international financial and professional services organisations and brings with him senior executive and finance leadership experience across Finance, Legal, Administration and Risk Management. Dustine has held senior finance roles with the AIMS Financial Group, Merrill Lynch HSBC, BNP Paribas Equities Group and Ord Minnett Group (now J P Morgan). He is a chartered accountant by background having gained his financial services audit experience with PwC and Deloitte in London, HongKong and Sydney. He is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England & Wales and a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Australia and holds a first class honours degree in Chemistry and Physics.
Peter Andronicos – General Manager Marketing & Consumer Direct Sales
In late 2009, Peter joined Firstfolio as the Marketing & New Client Acquisitions Manager to drive The Group’s growth through innovative business strategies. With over 16 years of local and international experience, Peter has a proven track record in implementing and managing new business growth strategies.
In 1995, Peter commenced his career with Citysearch.com.au and then held various positions at BMCMedia (now Hyro.com), across Hong Kong, Singapore & China before he was appointed as General Manager of Marketing & Business Development at leading racing and sports betting company, International All Sports (IAS) in 2002. He then moved to London where he served as the Director of Marketing & Business Development for one of the world’s largest online gaming companies.
Peter returned to Australia in early 2007 and was appointed as Chief Executive Officer of Boomerang.com.au Australia Pty Ltd (now Online Marketing Group Pty Limited [OMG]), Australia’s largest website publishing network. Following OMG’s strategic partnership with Fairfax Digital in 2008, Peter became the Chief Operating Officer and held this position until August 2009.
Linda Cooper – Group Human Resources Manager
Linda has a diverse corporate career and exposure to a number of industry sectors. Her experience has provided a foundation of sound business acumen and expertise in aligning HR strategy to the strategic objectives of Firstfolio.
Linda commenced her career in the area of transport and logistics holding senior positions in sales; general management and client management. In the late nineties Linda worked in advertising where she was involved in the development of a variety of key brands for a broad range of companies, including Unilever; Nestle and Bacardi Martini. Linda joined Firstfolio in 2001 leveraging 12 years exposure to generalist HR principles.
Linda has a recognised passion for HR and maintains a solid understanding of the profession through post graduate studies and continuous professional development. As a member of the senior management team Linda has helped steer the organisation through periods of considerable change.
Andrew Clouston- Executive General Manager Retail Distribution
At Firstfolio Andrew is responsible for the development and execution of Firstfolio’s strategy and business planning for the retail distribution of mortgages through all physical (non-web) channels.
Andrew joined Firstfolio in October 2010 after the acquisition of the Club Financial Services Group. Andrew was one of the founding directors of the Club Group which comprised the award winning mortgage management company National Financial Club and the 25 franchise strong mortgage broking business Club Financial Services.
Prior to launching Club Financial Services in 2002, Andrew had been involved in the mortgage industry as a broker and mortgage professional for 6 years, giving Andrew over 14 years industry experience.
Gary Cumberbatch- General Manager Wholesale Operations
Gary came to Firstfolio through the acquisition of financial services company, Apple Loan Pty Ltd, in June 2010.
As a Director of Apple Loans he was instrumental in taking the company to a preeminent position on the national mortgage broking and financial services stage and winner of numerous industry awards and accolades.
He commenced his banking career in 1989 and quickly established himself within the Tasmanian banking sector gaining senior roles in both residential and commercial lending management.
Gary has key responsibility over the wholesale lending network within Firstfolio and related system and process frameworks. Linked to this responsibility is oversight across the regulatory landscape associated with delivery of various loan products and services.
A former Director, Board Member & National Treasurer of industry peak body, the Mortgage & Finance Association of Australia (MFAA), Gary brings a broad based and pragmatic approach to strategy development and product delivery within the financial services landscape.
He holds a Diploma of Management from Deakin University and is Fellow of the MFAA.
Steve James- General Manager of LeaseChoice
Steve is General Manager of LeaseChoice and has over 10 years experience in the asset finance sector in back office operations, sales and relationship management.
Steve began his career in 1993 in pharmaceutical industry working seven years for a multinational organisation where he started as a quality control chemist for finished products in manufacturing. From there he progressed into other areas of the organisation and took roles in production planning, purchasing and business development. The experience gained in these roles has been carried into the next stage of Steve’s career in asset finance with LeaseChoice.
Starting as Credit and Settlements Manager in June 2000 he took on the role of Operations Director in October 2003. Key responsibilities in this were managing day to day operations in credit, settlements, collections and customer service. LeaseChoice operates in a number of channels- vendor finance, client direct sales and via 3rd party introducers- all on a platform that was developed for use with multiple underwriters. Steve manages relationships with vendors, 3rd party introducers and underwriters.
John Ewens- National Sales Manager Aggregation
John has over 22 years experience in the Banking and Finance industry having held previous management positions with Wizard Home Loans, Members Equity Bank and Pepper Home Loans before joining Firstfolio in Oct 2007.
John was Franchise Manager Western Sydney for Wizard Home Loans before relocating to Perth to assist with the launch of the Wizard Brand into the WA market in 2001. John then joined Members Equity Bank as the Regional Sales Manager WA in late 2002.After 6 years in Perth John relocated back to Sydney where he worked as state manager for Pepper Home Loans.
John joined Firstfolio in Oct 2007 as State Sales Manager – NSW. John is now the National Sales Manager Aggregation with his main responsibilities being to grow this channel via the acquisitions of Mortgage and Finance Brokers within the third party industry.
Firstfolio One is the new innovative alternative in aggregation, offering high performing brokers a better, more flexible deal for high achievers.
Firstfolio One Aggregation model was launched in June 2010 and is the alternative in aggregation, offering high performing brokers security, flexibility, innovation and pricing that matches your performance. FF1 is designed to be the best in class aggregation for best in class mortgage broker with a flexible aggregation model that allows the mortgage broker to determine what they are worth based on performance.
Lawrie Moore- Head of Operations, National Finance Club (NFC)
Lawrie Moore is Head of Operations at National Finance Club (NFC) overseeing the product, credit, and customer service delivery platforms. This role involves ensuring that broker and customer experience remains ahead of industry standard and that NFC’s delivery platforms continue to support the organisation’s service proposition.
Lawrie has extensive experience in the banking and finance sectors, having worked for 12 years in retail banking with both major and regional banks within Australia. Since 1998 he has held senior product development and operational management roles, working within large mortgage management and broking companies. Through his hands on experience he has created a solid understanding of the finance sector, which is backed by formal graduate and post graduate studies and continuous professional development.
Having been involved with the business since 2007, Lawrie has extensive knowledge of the operating platform including the various systems and processes being utilised, and has made a significant contribution to the rapid growth of the organisation and its position as one of the leading mortgage managers in the non bank sector.
