About Platform - Thrive with our Team
Don't just build a business, join a community that thrives on shared success
Partner with platformWhy Partner with Platform?
About Platform Finance
As one of Australia’s leading asset finance services partners, we’ve got the size, strength and support you need to build your business over the long-term.
But don’t be fooled, we don’t offer a one-size-fits all solution. Far from it.
For us, it’s all about partnerships and finding the right way to work together. After all, you and your business are unique, and your professional partnerships should reflect that. That’s why we mould our relationship to suit your business needs – not the other way around.
We also offer ongoing, personalised support that helps build a strong and connected community. That’s because when we work together, we grow together, creating a network that’s dedicated to shared success both now, and into the future.
With over 20 years experience, the country’s largest asset finance lender panel and, a team of skilled people behind us, we have everything you need to thrive and grow. Contact us today to learn how.
Driven by Value
Grow your business with the backing of the team that finances over 16,000 cars and over $1Billion worth of assets every year.
Lender Panel
Enjoy being spoilt for choice with Australia’s largest panel of asset finance lenders. Pick from over 40 consumer and commercial loan specialists nationwide and tailor deals designed specifically for your clients’ needs.
Broker Support
Take your business to the next level with access to the latest technology, in-person and on-demand support and comprehensive training and development programs. Work with our experts from application to settlement and get your deals done in record time.
Community & Culture
The Platform Broker Community
When you join the Platform team, you don’t just get access to competitive finance, you join a community that’ll help propel your business forward. You’ll still enjoy the independence that comes with running your own show, but you’ll join a closely connected network offering the guidance, support and knowledge you need to succeed.
We share our success
Every deal you write helps our collective community grow stronger. Individual wins always motivate you to go the extra mile, but they also improve the buying power of the group, helps us maintain our volumes and our position as a market leader in asset finance. It’s win win.
We share our knowledge
Our community is built on expertise and shared knowledge so we’ve got an expert crew ready to go whenever you need it. From guidance, to information and mentoring, everything you need is just a phone call away.
We share our support
We want you to focus on writing deals, not filling out paperwork. So once your deals are done, pass them onto our full-service loan processing centre and get back to doing what you do best.
Executive Team
Experience, expertise & serious finance know-how
Brad Crinion
Chief Executive Officer
Brad Crinion is the Chief Executive Officer for Platform Finance, responsible for eight retail brands under the Platform umbrella, managing 150 staff, with operations nationally.
Brad has had over 16 years of commercial finance experience, in Australia and internationally, including the UK, Netherlands, Belgium and Canada. Employed as the Finance Manager at Platform Finance, Brad was then promoted to CEO.
Prior to Platform Finance, Brad was the Commercial Manager for Ruralco Holdings Limited, one of Australia’s largest listed Agricultural businesses. He held this role for five years which included sitting on the board of nine successful joint ventures around Australia, as well as managing all financial and commercial aspects of over 20 businesses within the group.
Brad believes he has a dedicated, passionate team, and is looking forward to further building the group’s capabilities and continuing to drive service excellence.
Chris Penney
Chief Operating Officer
Chris is a founding partner of beCarWise and joined the group when Platform Finance acquired beCarWise in 2015.
Chris has over 15 years’ experience in the vehicle leasing, salary packaging and asset finance industry. With previous senior management experience gained at ORIX, Holden Leasing and McMillan Shakespeare Limited, his specialities include building corporate relationships, fostering high performing customer centric sales teams, efficient operations functions and tailored solutions with reliable advice.
Chris was the General Manager of Platform Finance and was appointed Chief Operating Officer in September 2018. His role is to design and implement effective business strategies for mutual customer engagement and shareholder return whilst promoting group culture and vision.
Mike Nicholls
Executive Director / Chairman
Mike is a shareholder and the Chairman of the Board for Platform Finance, he is responsible for strategic direction and acquisitions. Mike was previously the CEO of the Platform group for 8 years, up until June 2018.
Mike, a qualified Engineer by trade, has been involved in the Finance Industry for more than 30 years. His experience ranges from time with Nissan Finance in the UK and then BNZ Finance Limited when he arrived in Australia in 1987.
Mike’s broad finance and managerial experience proved invaluable when in 1990 he established his own finance broking company, Melbourne Finance Broking Pty Ltd. He has been the driving force behind the company’s consistent growth. Mike then went into partnership to establish the Platform Finance Group in 2010, which now boasts over 200 staff nationally, and in 2015 was partly acquired by listed company Consolidated Operations Group.
Peter Schroeder
Executive Director
Peter has been involved in the banking and finance industry for over 40 years, with the majority of that operating as a Finance Broker. Peter helped establish Bidgee Finance in Mildura before moving to establish Mildura Finance in 2000. He is well versed in all aspects of the finance industry and has a flair for business development being instrumental in MFL’s growth in the aggregation market.
In 2010 Peter helped form Platform Finance Group which has grown to write in excess of $1B in Asset Finance each year. His current role as a Board Member and Executive Director sees him developing Platform Finance’s agent networks nationally and providing strategic direction to the business, he also been actively involved in the MFAA Commercial & Equipment Committee at both a State and National level.
Damian Mantini
Director Aggregation & Strategic Partnerships
With a Bachelor of Business Management and over 20 years’ experience in sales and management, Damian has an in-depth understanding of what it takes to establish, nurture and expand an asset finance business.
Passionate about educating brokers and helping them better understand asset finance, his primary focus is enabling his clients to identify opportunities for growth and expand their reach and customer base.
Having been a shareholder at the Platform Group since 2012, he believes the unique mix of people, lender panel size, distribution channels and infrastructure make Platform a leader in the field. Combined with strong lender relationships, ongoing investment in compliance and IT and close working relationships with broker partners, he’s confident that Platform is perfectly positioned to tackle any industry challenges that arise.
Caroline Grima
General Manager
Caroline has over 25 years’ experience in the Equipment and Motor Vehicle Finance industry beginning her career in a range of finance roles including settlement, securities and credit analyst functions.
Caroline joined Melbourne Finance Broking in 2000 where she has held a myriad of roles including Personal Assistant to the CEO before moving successfully into a finance broking role for 13 years.
Caroline has since turned her focus to the wider Platform Group and has worked as a Business Development Manager and Sales Manager, responsible for the motivation and objectives of a team of finance consultants.
In September 2018, Caroline was appointed General Manager of Platform Finance. She oversees the success of company operations, managing a number of lender relationships and providing day-to-day leadership to staff.
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