2020 AIBB Annual Awards

by Vanessa Lovie 1st of September, 2020

The Annual Awards for the Australian Institute of Business Brokers (AIBB) was held via Zoom this year with members joining from around the country via their offices and homes. COVID-19 is having various effects on the business broking industry and it was a good opportunity for brokers to celebrate the success of their peers. Spirits were high amongst brokers as they welcomed the opportunity to connect within the industry.

The past 18 months has had many ups and downs for business brokers with federal elections, banking reforms and now a worldwide pandemic. Brokers have seen it harder to finalise sales and buyers becoming cautious. Though as we head towards the summer months, many states are seeing an increase in buyer enquiries and sales, as people are looking for work and business opportunities. Fortunately, many states have low covid numbers and business is heading towards some normality. As with all industries, some businesses have fared better than others during this pandemic. This has opened up opportunity for owners to exit their businesses and find the right buyer.

It is with great pleasure, as sponsors of the AIBB that we share this year's winners.

National Business Broker of the Year 2020

"I would like to sincerely thank the judging panel and the AIBB for this award in 2020. I am fortunate and grateful to have an amazing team here at Merchant Business Brokers. That are also dedicated to our business, our brand and our industry As business brokers we have had a turbulent 18 months or so with banking reforms, federal elections and a pandemic we are still navigating through. These challenges are not the first and they wont be the last for us as individuals and as brokers in within our industry. I encourage members and associates of the AIBB to embrace change and look for opportunity,. It is out there if you seek it. I wish all my fellow brokers, associates and sponsors of the AIBB every success in the year ahead, thank you again for this prestigious award” Shane Fox, Merchant Business Brokers

National Specialist Business Broker of the Year 2020

“I am absolutely honoured and delighted to be accepting this award from the AIBB for the business broker award for 2020. I am also more than excited as it is my third year in a row so I'm definitely looking to get into the hall of fame. The AIBB has been value to me as a member because I feel that the goal and wisdom that is there in this pool of fabulous business brokers allows me to tap into that knowledge at any time. Each and every broker i have ever phoned is more than generous with their time and there is always something I dont know and need to ask someone. To be a member of the AIBB and to have access to all that wisdom is the ultimate for me. I would like to thank the AIBB for everything that you do and all the hard work ..” Nikki Katz, Benchmark Business Sales

Rising Star Business Broker of the Year 2020

"Its a great honour to receive this award from the AIBB. I cant speak highly enough of this organisation. Its members and its associates are open and generous with its ideas and with its support. If your not a member, I highly recommend you join now. I would also like to thank Xcllusive Business Sales for all their support and encouragement. Our industry has got the great privilege of helping business owners realise the value of all their hard work when the time comes. Looking forward to helping many more business owners exit their business successfully and also continuing to benefit from and contribute to the AIBB” - Steve Blaby, Xcllusive Business Sales.

State and National Award Winners

National Chair Award 2020	N/A	Kevin Lovewell
Specialist Business Broker of the Year 2020	Queensland	John Kasapi
Specialist Business Broker of the Year 2020	Victoria	Fred Samoun
Specialist Business Broker of the Year 2020	Western Australia	Bradley Potter
Specialist Business Broker of the Year 2020	South Australia	Nikki Katz
Specialist Business Broker of the Year 2020	New South Wales	Peter Fennell
Business Broker of the Year 2020	Victoria	Choon Ng
Business Broker of the Year 2020	Western Australia	Catherine Jones
Business Broker of the Year 2020	New South Wales	Shane Fox
Business Broker of the Year 2020	South Australia	Brett Buckley
Business Broker of the Year 2020	Queensland	Lily Small
National Specialist Business Broker of the Year 2020	N/A	Nikki Katz
National Business Broker of the Year 2020	N/A	Shane Fox
Rising Star Business Broker of the Year 2020	N/A	Steven Blaby