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The Ortus Financial Family

Our award-winning team brings together a diverse range of backgrounds and financial services expertise across commercial and investment banking, professional services, and wealth, each contributing a unique set of skills and insights. United by a shared goal to deliver exceptional service, our vast experience enables us to deliver comprehensive, holistic property finance solutions combined with a private banking experience at no additional cost.

It’s no surprise that Ortus Financial has become the industry’s broker of choice. Our deep understanding of the financial sector’s nuances positions us perfectly to address the specific challenges and opportunities faced by those in the industry. We speak your language, understand the demands of the profession, and have the knowledge and network to navigate even the most complex mortgage scenarios with ease.

With Ortus Financial, you’re not just engaging with a single broker; you’re partnering with a team that’s truly invested in your future. Explore your lending options – contact us today.

Principal & Founder

Adam Rakowski

Adam has had a successful career across corporate and commercial banking, as well as co-founding an award-winning mortgage broking business. Joining Macquarie Bank as a graduate in 2001, Adam progressed to a variety of senior sales roles, leaving Macquarie as a Division Director in 2016. During his 15 year span at Macquarie, Adam’s client retention rate was unrivalled and he was consistently recognised as the banking division’s top salesperson.

After leaving Macquarie Bank, Adam co-founded a mortgage broking business which was awarded the title of ‘Commercial Broker of the Year’ in only its second year of operation. Since founding Ortus Financial in 2019, Adam has been recognised in Australian’s top 100 brokers by loan volume in each of the past 4 years. For the better part of 20 years, Adam has been involved in assisting clients with residential and commercial property loans as well as equipment and business funding of all types. His strength lies in his customer focus and market-leading industry relationships. Adam is experienced dealing with everything from a home loan to the most complex corporate loan structures involving multiple entities.

Adam holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of Sydney (Finance and Marketing) and is a member of the Mortgage & Finance Association of Australia (MFAA).

 

Phone: 0407 455 553

Email: adam@ortusfinancial.com.au

Finance Broker

Demetra Ganis

Demetra brings a wealth of experience in sales and sales management from her time within the Australian telecommunications industry. After many successful years working as a Business Development Executive at Telstra, Demetra joined Optus in 2016 where she worked in multiple senior sales management roles.

Demetra went on to establish herself as one of the top performing Partner Sale Managers within the industry. Looking for a new challenge and with strong family ties to the Australian mortgage industry, Demetra has brought together her love of property and finance and joined the team at Ortus Financial.

Demetra combines her passionate, results driven mindset with her affable nature to deliver the best outcomes for her clients.

Demetra has a Cert IV in Mortgage Broking and Finance, previously having studied Bachelor of Business and Commerce.

Phone: 0404 179 647

Email: demetra@ortusfinancial.com.au

Finance Broker

Brandon Ngadino

Brandon’s journey into the world of mortgage broking began in 2017 during his own property endeavours, where a thirst for knowledge led him to understand the ins and outs of leveraging debt for financial empowerment.

Brandon’s mission is to not only assist clients with their lending requirements, but also educate clients on navigating the complex world of financing. Whether it’s assisting first-home buyers purchasing their dream home or guiding seasoned investors to expand their property portfolio, Brandon is committed to empowering his clients with financial literacy.

Brandon’s speciality includes assisting media personalities, professional athletes, bankers, finance professionals and business owners.

Brandon is an accredited broker and a member of the Mortgage and Finance Association of Australia (MFAA).

Phone: 0467 374 303

Email: brandon@ortusfinancial.com.au

Finance Broker

Skye Xuereb

Skye has close to 10 years of experience as a mortgage broker. Prior to embarking on her broking journey, Skye had a successful career in the public service for over 12 years, working as an Executive in Finance and Strategic Business Improvement projects – one of which she received an Australian Day award for.

Skye switched careers to pursue her passion for helping people with their own personal finances and a genuine love of real estate. As a mum of twins, she’s known for multitasking, being highly organised and a great communicator. Skye has a high attention for detail, leaves no stone unturned and has a wide breadth of knowledge across our extensive panel of lenders.

Whether helping first home buyers, experienced investors, families looking to upgrade or self-employed business owners, Skye is adept at ensuring the best possible client outcome.

Skye is an accredited broker and is a member of the Mortgage and Finance Association of Australia (MFAA).

Phone: 0433 091 618

Email: skye@ortusfinacial.com.au

Head of Commercial

Rob Gleeson

Rob has been devoted to commercial finance, broking, and banking for over 25 years, including 17 years with a major bank. Over his career in the finance industry, Rob has been involved in lending to a diverse range of commercial and corporate borrowers, with expertise across the hospitality, property and development, professional services, manufacturing, childcare and medical industries, with a deep understanding and focus on going concern businesses.

He has developed a significant corporate profile and relationships over his time within the finance industry, including banks and other major lenders, sales agents, accounting professionals, valuers, lawyers, and other industry stakeholders, including industry bodies.

Rob possesses a deep understanding of the unique challenges faced by commercial borrowers, at a broader macro level and micro industry level. He leads the business when it comes to:

• Commercial & Corporate Lending.
• Construction & Development Finance.
• Industry Specific Lending.
• Commercial and Corporate Debt Restructuring.
• Equipment Finance for Businesses.
• Loan Advice & Debt Placement.
• Assistance with Due Diligence.

Phone: 0414 370 934

Email: rob@ortusfinancial.com.au

Finance Broker

Michael Dahya

Michael has transitioned into the finance world after gaining valuable experience across multiple industries including data analytics, office and home renovations, and fitness coaching.

Originally from Tasmania, Michael has lived and worked across Australia and honed his sales experience engaging with a variety of people from many diverse background.

Michael has established himself in the mortgage broking industry and promptly grown an envious professional network. He is driven, self-motivated, and has a passion for helping people in any way that he can.

Michael is an accredited broker and is a member of the Mortgage and Finance Association of Australia (MFAA).

Phone: 0439 615 709

Email: michael@ortusfinancial.com.au

Finance Broker

Mitchel Hetherington

Prior to joining Ortus Financial, Mitchel had a successful career in accounting for over a decade. Developing a strong reputation for providing comprehensive tax solutions to individuals and businesses alike, Mitchel’s passion for numbers, attention to detail, and commitment to staying updated with ever-changing tax regulations makes him a valuable asset to Ortus Financial.

Mitchel’s knowledge of tax laws and regulations allows him to assess each borrower’s financial standings accurately, analyse the tax implications of different mortgage options, and recommend the most suitable loan structure, optimising a borrower’s financial outcomes whilst fostering a successful mortgage transaction.

Mitchel holds a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Auckland (Accounting and Management) and is a member of the Mortgage & Finance Association of Australia (MFAA).

Phone: 0413 556 346

Email: mitchel@ortusfinancial.com.au

Finance Broker

Nick Schembri

Having over 13 years’ experience in property investment, corporate sales and management, Nick has had great success within his own property investing – buying and renovating as a personal passion, whilst developing a career in finance – he specialises in home Loans, investment loans and refinancing. Nick offers a full service for first home buyers to seasoned investors to suit a diverse range of financial situations and goals.

With a strong attention to detail and desire to help people navigate their property journey, Nick has merged his strong people focus and property investing passion to deliver a hands-on consultative approach, where he can provide insights from his own involvement within the purchasing and refinancing process. Nick’s extensive experience in working with clients and business stakeholders across various industries to drive outcomes has been foundational in his reputation of personal excellence and integrity throughout his career.

Nick is currently qualified with a Cert IV in Finance, Diploma in Mortgage Broking management and Bachelor’s Degree in Industrial Design from Western Sydney University as well as being a member of the Mortgage & Finance Association of Australia (MFAA).

Phone: 0402 842 180

Email: nick@ortusfinancial.com.au

Partner

Paul Cilia

Paul is a highly experienced executive, having worked in the banking & finance industry for over 30 years. A long-term Executive Director at Macquarie Bank, his roles included Head of Commercial Property Lending, Head of Growth and Segment Strategy for Macquarie Business Banking and Executive Committee Member of Macquarie’s Business & Corporate Bank in Australia.

Paul has bought, managed and sold substantial businesses in Australia, the UK and Canada and now holds several Advisory and Board roles including The NSW National Parks & Wildlife Service Conservation Trust and BYD electric vehicles in Australia. Paul’s expansive business and professional network affords Ortus Financial a distinctive competitive advantage over industry peers.

Paul has a Bachelor of Economics Degree from the University of NSW and a Post Graduate Diploma in Business Services.

Phone: 0400 644 205

Email: paul@ortusfinancial.com.au

Broker Assistant

Lucy Esber

Lucy is an accomplished sales and administration professional, having held numerous key roles over the past 10 years, in a diverse range of industries. Commencing her career as an executive assistant at accounting firm Bell Partners, Lucy progressed into a customer-facing role at international fashion house Ermenegildo Zegna, where she was responsible for managing day to day client relationships.

With a passion for property, Lucy moved into the property development industry in 2012. Over that time Lucy excelled in senior executive assistant and sale support roles at Crown Group Holdings, Capital Bluestone and Savills.

In 2019 Lucy moved to South America, where she was employed as the National Director for a renowned international language centre.

Lucy is driven with a thirst for knowledge. She is an empathetic, energetic and personable character that can communicate and engage effectively with people from all backgrounds.

Lucy has a Business Management Diploma from TAFE NSW and is currently completing her Bachelor of Arts degree Majoring in Spanish and Latin American Studies at Macquarie University.

Phone: 0434 400 669

Email: lucy@ortusfinancial.com.au

Finance Broker

Chris Stauber

Chris is a strategic, results-driven and committed individual who joins Ortus Financial with 20 years’ experience at Macquarie Bank, including leadership and director level client engagement roles in both Personal and Business Banking.

He is passionate about working with clients to navigate the financial services landscape and guide them through the best options available, to help grow their personal wealth.

Chris stays connected with community through his long-standing involvement in the game of basketball, originally as a player and now a coach. He also sits on the board of the Northern Suburbs Basketball Association, one of NSW’s largest and most successful clubs.

Chris holds a Bachelor of Business degree from the University of Technology Sydney (Accounting and Finance) and is a member of the Mortgage & Finance Association of Australia (MFAA).

Phone: 0431 222 699

Email: chris@ortusfinancial.com.au

Finance Broker

Matt Costello

Matt joins Ortus Financial after working at Rabobank for nearly 12 years. Over this period Matt held various senior positions, including the management of a significant lending portfolio, working alongside clients to support their funding requirements, as well as various credit risk and strategy roles. This diverse background has developed a broad skill set, including analysing and assessing financial statements, cashflow and budget scenarios as well as the understanding of complex structures.

Above all, Matt develops genuine relationships with his clients and their advisors, underpinned by an authentic character and strong work ethic. This is reflected in his exceptional client retention and advocacy rates and business development results. Born and raised in country NSW, Matt now resides on the Central Coast with his wife and three young boys. He holds a Diploma of Finance and Mortgage Broking Management, Bachelor of Agriculture Economics, Majoring in Economics from Sydney University and is a member of the Mortgage and Finance Association of Australia (MFAA)

Phone: 0400 321 100

Email: matt@ortusfinancial.com.au

Partner QLD

Joe Perrone

Joe Perrone leads Ortus Financial’s Queensland division, bringing 20 years of experience in financial services. His career is marked by a proven track record of innovative financial solutions, most recently in the Tech sector. Notably, as a Director at Macquarie, Joe developed and launched a lending policy tailored specifically for the technology industry, a first for an Australian bank. He led the Tech Banking team to provide more than $1 billion of lending to Australian businesses and their founders.

Joe’s expertise spans residential and commercial property lending, as well as business lending and complex corporate finance solutions. His passion for supporting high-growth companies, their founders and their employees, ensures that clients receive expert, personalised guidance to achieve their financial goals.

Joe Holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of Canterbury (Economics and Marketing), a diploma of Finance and Mortgage Broking Management, and is a member of The Finance Brokers Association (FBAA)

Phone: 0450 367 575

Email: joe@ortusfinancial.com.au

Finance Broker

Peter Hunt

Peter brings over 10 years of extensive experience in the property sector, where he successfully managed and transacted in over $100 million in property before transitioning into the mortgage industry. With a Bachelor’s in Applied Finance, his deep expertise in real estate finance uniquely positions him to craft personalized mortgage solutions that simplify even the most complex financial scenarios.

Throughout his career, Peter has consistently prioritized nurturing robust, enduring relationships with his clients, ensuring a foundation of trust. As an accredited mortgage broker and a dedicated member of the Mortgage and Finance Association of Australia (MFAA), he upholds the highest standards of professionalism and integrity.

Peter’s industry insights and proven track record underscore his commitment to delivering outstanding mortgage services, ensuring clients receive precise, informed, and tailored guidance on their financial journeys

Phone: 0434 821 219

Email: Peter@ortusfinancial.com.au