Meet Petro, the brains behind Podium Money, serving as its Founder and Director. His track record speaks volumes, consistently ranking among the top 20 finance brokers nationally within the PLAN Australia network.

Boasting over two decades of hands-on experience in the banking and finance sector, Petro brings a wealth of knowledge to his roles as a finance broker and the team leader at Podium Money. Speaking of teams, Petro has curated a group of seasoned finance brokers and client services specialists.

Petro understands that each client's financial situation is as unique as a fingerprint and often comes with its own set of complexities. Leveraging his keen insight, Petro excels at comprehending their distinct lending requirements. His goal is not just to meet but to exceed their financial expectations. Petro is all about building and nurturing relationships; he's approachable and dedicated to working tirelessly to identify the most fitting products for his clients.

Meet Chris – a seasoned pro with 17 years in the banking and equipment finance scene, making pit stops at NAB, Westpac, and Judo Capital. With a track record of building out top-notch equipment finance offerings, he's a true guru in the specialized realm of equipment finance.

Now, Chris wears the hat of Co-Founder and Managing Director at Podium Equipment Finance. His mission? To be the guiding hand for Aussie businesses looking to thrive and navigate the equipment finance maze.

Chris is all about top-tier customer service, hustling to deliver the most competitive equipment finance deals out there. Proudly sporting a membership with the Commercial Asset Finance Brokers Association (CAFBA), he's the real deal – your go-to guy for all things equipment finance.

Ian boasts an impressive 35 years of experience in the Finance Industry, having held senior positions at NAB in Credit, Broker Operations, and Sales. During his last 8 years at NAB, he served as the Head of Risk and Operations, where he played a pivotal role in developing a commercial broker proposition. This encompassed defining risk appetite and overseeing all operational and risk matters associated with the commercial broker market.

Ian's extensive background in both the commercial broker market and the broader finance industry contributes significantly to Podium Money's expansion into the commercial lending market. It ensures the delivery of optimal service to all commercial clients.

Nick brings with him over 15 years of experience in senior leadership within sales and stakeholder partnerships from some of Australia’s top banks, lenders and mortgage aggregators.

His role allows the Podium business to have a stronger focus on our referral, lender, aggregator, and broker partner networks, as well as assists us with strategy execution across the group.

Before joining us, Nick held the role of Head of Distribution within the Commercial Non-Bank Lending sector for over three years running a highly successful sales and partnerships team, as well as State Strategic Partnerships Manager at our previous Aggregator Partner PLAN Australia for over seven years, which has since been acquired by our current Aggregator, Loan Market Group.

With in-depth experience and proven capability across commercial lending, residential lending, asset and equipment finance, broker aggregation services, and managing strategic partnerships, Nick brings a unique lens and well-rounded skill set to Podium Money and has been a fantastic addition to our Leadership Team.

Chris brings over 12 years of extensive experience in the banking and finance industry, having worked with prominent institutions such as Bendigo and Adelaide Bank, Mortgage Advice Bureau, and La Trobe Financial.

During his tenure of more than 8 years at Bendigo and Adelaide Bank, Chris held various roles, contributing significantly to his wealth of knowledge and experience. His responsibilities encompassed projects in Business Banking, Risk Management, Operations, and Branch Banking.

Post-Bendigo and Adelaide Bank, Chris assumed the position of General Manager at Mortgage Advice Bureau, a UK-based organization listed on the stock exchange. More recently, he served as a Senior Manager at La Trobe Financial, further solidifying his expertise in the field.

Meet Jacob Santos, a co-Director of Podium Money following our exciting merger with Direct Mortgages in August 2024.

With over 20 years in the finance industry, Jacob began his career at ANZ as a Credit Analyst and after a 6 year tenure with the bank, he transitioned into mortgage broking in 2007 and founded Direct Mortgages. The company quickly became a trusted name in the finance industry, offering a wide range of lending services tailored to meet the unique needs of his clients, from first homebuyers to large-scale commercial developments.

Jacob and his team are thrilled to be part of the Podium Money family, stating in an interview with The Adviser regarding the announcement that “This partnership is a huge win for my team and more importantly our clients,” and believes that joining forces with our broader team will bring amazing benefits to everyone involved, and we couldn’t agree more!

Outside of work, Jacob is happily married and a proud dad to two children. With a focus on integrity and reputation, he’s all about delivering personalised financial solutions and building lasting relationships with clients and our vast referral network.

James Bretnall is a skilled equipment finance broker based in Melbourne, specialising in helping businesses secure the funding they need to grow and thrive. 

With over 9 years of experience in the finance sector, James has developed a deep understanding of equipment financing solutions tailored to diverse industries. His commitment to providing exceptional client service and strategic advice has earned him a reputation as a trusted partner for businesses navigating their financing options. 

When James isn’t work with the Podium team then he is spending his time with his young family and supporting community sports as the President and Chairman of the Victoria Premier League club Langwarrin Soccer Club.

For the past seven years, Tom has been an integral part of the Podium group, working closely with Petro Triantafyllou, the Managing Director of Podium. Together, they honed Tom's expertise in residential and commercial lending, playing a pivotal role in the remarkable success of Podium. Today, Podium stands as one of Melbourne's most prosperous and recognized broker businesses.

Prior to his time with Podium Money, Tom enjoyed a distinguished 10-year AFL Football career with the Western Bulldogs. Following his playing days, he extended his contribution to the team by serving as an Assistant Coach for an additional two years with the Western Bulldogs’ reserves.

With an extensive 13-year career in finance, Nikita stands out for her unwavering commitment and expertise. Her professional journey commenced as an asset finance broker, and she furthered her knowledge by earning a Diploma of Mortgage Broking. Progressing through roles such as Settlement Officer, Loan Associate, and Mortgage Broker, Nikita seamlessly transitioned into leadership positions. As a Loan Associate Team Leader, she managed teams both onshore and offshore, contributing significantly to process development for Loan Associates and Mortgage Brokers within an emerging company. Expanding her responsibilities to Business Intelligence and Operations, Nikita played a crucial role in supporting the National Lending Manager.

Beyond her finance career, Nikita dedicated seven years to the Army Reserves as a Command Support Clerk. This experience not only provided her with a profound understanding of military command structures but also fortified her leadership, discipline, organizational skills, and ability to perform under pressure.

In her current role as Operations Manager at Podium Money, Nikita leverages her wealth of experience to optimize business processes, enhance team efficiencies, and elevate the overall client experience. Her vision and meticulous attention to detail continue to be instrumental in driving positive outcomes for the organization.

With over a decade of experience in customer service, leadership, business, and sales management, Zac has seamlessly transitioned into the finance sector, specializing in finance broking. This transition has allowed him to demonstrate his strategic planning, building, and execution skills, showcasing his resilience.

Zac is fortunate to work alongside a highly skilled team of brokers, collectively possessing over 90+ years of industry expertise. Together, they are dedicated to providing comprehensive support for all residential, commercial, asset finance, and small business lending needs. With a network of over 30 lenders, choosing Podium Money offers clients a plethora of options.

At the heart of Zac's mission is the customer. Every decision he makes revolves around their unique needs, ensuring optimal support. Zac values and celebrates the individuality of each client, thriving on addressing their distinct and often complex requirements. His approach is rooted in support and simplicity, guided by core values of communication, integrity, and punctuality. Zac's unwavering passion is to assist clients straightforwardly and transparently.

Sean, a seasoned Equipment & Vehicle Finance specialist at Podium, boasts a robust industry tenure since 2015. Recognized for excellence, he clinched the CAFBA Emerging Broker of the Year award in 2018, a pivotal milestone that fueled his ongoing growth. Joining Podium in 2021, Sean seamlessly integrated his extensive knowledge, notably enhancing our equipment finance department.

His expertise spans niche sectors, excelling in food & beverage production, commercial cleaning, and earthmoving/excavation. This specialized focus allows Sean to deliver tailored financial solutions to clients within these domains. Sean's passion lies in connecting clients, suppliers, and accountants, fostering meaningful relationships beyond traditional introductions.

This dedication forms the foundation of collaborative and enduring financial partnerships. Driven by an unwavering commitment to superior customer service, Sean's focus is efficiently delivering solutions customized to each client's circumstances. His dedication ensures that every client receives not just a service, but a meticulously crafted financial solution tailored to their unique needs.

Since 2018, Ben Hitchcock has been an experienced finance broker specialising in commercial vehicle and equipment finance. With a proven ability to solve complex problems and a keen attention to detail, Ben excels in providing tailored financial solutions to his clients. His expertise spans across sales, customer service, client retention, and networking to name a few.

Ben adopts a practical, common-sense approach to business, consistently focusing on achieving the best outcomes for his clients, suppliers, and referrers. He takes pride in building and maintaining strong, long-term relationships, which are the foundation of his successful career in finance to date. Outside of work, Ben has been involved in sports most of his life which has been a key contributing factor to his "Team First" attitude at Podium.

Meet Jordan, the newest addition to Podium as a Credit Advisor! With 10 years experience in the finance industry. Jordan has had roles at Westpac and NAB, he's got a diverse background in home lending, business banking, and portfolio management. Jordan's client-centric approach and creative problem-solving skills make him a standout in the industry. In fact, he was recognized with the Client Focus award in 2022, showcasing his dedication to delivering exceptional experiences.

When he's not busy helping clients, Jordan is a sports fanatic and enjoys quality time with his family. Plus, he's a master of the grill as the head chef for BBQ sessions! Feel free to reach out to Jordan for expert advice and personalized solutions!

With over two decades of expertise in the banking and finance industry, Tanya has cultivated extensive knowledge through a diverse career with renowned financial service providers such as Nab, Heritage Bank, and Citibank. Holding pivotal roles in Credit, Sales, Relationship Management, Business Development, Operations, and Senior Associate throughout her journey, Tanya now contributes her wealth of experience to Podium Money as a Senior Associate.

In her role, Tanya collaborates directly with the managing director of Podium and Senior brokers, leveraging her diverse knowledge to support both residential and commercial lending. Her forte lies in client services, specializing in nurturing strong, enduring relationships with clients. Tanya is dedicated to placing her clients at the forefront, ensuring every interaction delivers an exceptional customer journey. Beyond her illustrious professional journey, Tanya is equipped with a Cert IV in Financial Services.

Alison boasts over 25 years of experience in the Finance Industry, having successfully navigated diverse roles spanning Operations, Audit, Assessment, and Customer Service. In her capacity as Client Services Manager, Alison channels her unwavering passion to empower clients in achieving their financial objectives. Whether guiding them through home purchases or optimizing interest rates for savings, Alison derives immense satisfaction from exceeding client expectations.

Her extensive expertise and wealth of experience make Alison an invaluable asset to our team, where she continues to contribute significantly to our shared success.

Growing up in Melbourne and with a background in corporate property development and large-scale acquisitions, Laura knows the commercial property market inside out. With a growing family in a St Kilda apartment, however, the residential property market called, and a move to bigger, brighter things in Geelong ensued. 

Working with her husband Sandy, the Waters family bought two investment properties in Geelong. Working tirelessly to renovate them, they flipped them when the market was right. And just like that, property investment as a means to grow wealth potential became a passion. In 2019, Laura established Podium Money Geelong, eager to leverage her property market knowledge to help others reach their property goals.

With a combined Bachelor of Commerce/Bachelor of Economics from Monash University and a Master of Property from Melbourne University, Laura has the hands-on experience of the lending environment and the depth of financial education to provide the very best tailored financial advice. Focusing on helping her clients live the life they want whilst also setting them up for future financial success, Laura works closely with her clients to understand their goals and ambitions and provide the most advantageous financial solutions.

With over 25 years of experience in banking and finance, Mel has worked across various segments including retail banking, business banking and equipment finance. In her career, Mel has fulfilled a number of roles across sales and operations both as an individual contributor and in a leadership capacity. Leveraging her extensive experience, Mel harnesses her passion for customers and commitment to achieving the right outcomes. 

As a seasoned commercial manager, Mel works closely with the Managing Director and Senior Commercial Brokers to ensure the right level of support is on offer for our customers. Her top priority lies in ensuring seamless processing of applications, minimising disruptions and collaborating closely with lenders to fulfill all requirements. Mel is dedicated to delivering exceptional service and fostering long-term client relationships built on trust and reliability.

Since embarking on her career in finance in 2011 at NAB, Penny worked her way up through the ranks to a customer advisor position and specialised in all things personal lending, accounts, insurance, compliance, customer service and care and in 2016 commenced her journey in the home lending sector with Bendigo Bank. Penny is part of the Podium Geelong team as a loan analyst where she has extended her knowledge base in residential investment and owner-occupied lending. Penny has a certificate IV in finance and mortgage broking and, under Laura’s mentorship, is completing a Diploma in Finance and mortgage broking to further enhance her qualifications and become a fully licenced mortgage broker. Penny’s career has given her the capabilities to learn and execute excellent customer service and have a great aptitude for sales. She prides herself on her ability to build strong customer relationships and is extremely passionate about customer care. Approaching customers and her work with a high level of initiative, empathy, and determination, Penny is fully committed to providing the highest standards of professional service to accommodate all customer needs.