Warrnambool broker Sam Arthurs has taken out a national award and says the recognition meant a lot because it comes at a time when the industry as a whole was under increasing pressure.
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“What we do at the moment is under a big cloud, there’s a lot of brokers leaving the industry and it’s kind of in a bad spot right now with the royal commission,” Mr Arthurs said.
“To win that award at this time means a hell of a lot.”
He took out one of the top categories at the Australian Broking Awards in Sydney, winning the Customer Service of the Year award despite being up against nominees from much larger regions and bigger companies. He was also nominated for Australian Broker of the Year.
Mr Arthurs began broking five years ago and took on the Loan Market franchise in Warrnambool more than two years ago.
Through his business, Arthurs Financial, he settles about 80 home loans a year worth about $20 million. “It isn’t really a lot in the grand scheme of things but it’s a lot for one person,” he said.
“I was that shocked I won I actually didn’t prepare a speech.
“My wife told me 10 times to prepare a speech. We’ve got three kids so we never have time to do that sort of stuff.”
Mr Arthurs said he met his wife in England and came to Australia where he worked for the Flying Doctors in patient transport before the lure of the surf brought them to Warrnambool.
“I really liked surfing, that’s probably my favourite pastime,” he said.
“I’m not the most sporty of people. I wasn’t much good at footy. It think I did five minutes of game play. I scored two goals and broke my ribs.”
But that hasn’t stopped him helping out with the Allansford cricket and football clubs by serving on the recreation committee. He is also the treasurer of the Allansford Primary School.
This isn’t the first success Mr Arthurs has experienced in his career. Despite only being in the industry for a relatively short time, has was listed as a Gold Broker for the Bank of Melbourne and an Elite Broker for the Commonwealth Bank.