Co-operty appoints head of distribution

He brings over three decades of experience in the mortgage sector

Co-operty appoints head of distribution

Proptech startup Co-operty has announced the appointment of Frank Austin (pictured) as its new head of distribution.

Austin, with over three decades of experience in the mortgage sector, brings a wealth of expertise from his previous senior roles at institutions including Volt Bank, NAB, Challenger, St. George, and Heritage Bank.

At Co-operty, Austin is expected to enhance the company’s focus on the mortgage broker channel, aiming to expand access to home ownership in a challenging market. He will work closely with Co-operty’s co-founders, Lynda Coker and Liz Rochaix, who started the business in 2023 in response to Australia’s housing affordability crisis.

The Co-operty app helps family members and friends buy property together using the tenants-in-common registration. As tenants-in-common, all parties’ names are noted on the legal title alongside their individual percentage ownership, which can be sold separately or beqeathed as an inheritance.

“Buying a property together with a friend or family member can be a really interesting option for a mortgage broker to explore with a client who can’t otherwise afford to buy a property in the current market,” Austin said.

“I’m really looking forward to supporting brokers to help more Australians onto the property ladder if the co-ownership solution is right for that client’s individual circumstances.”

Coker also expressed enthusiasm about Austin’s appointment.

“Liz and I are thrilled to welcome Frank to the Co-operty team,” she said. “We’re prioritising the mortgage broker channel in our go-to-market strategy, and he’s the right person to help us grow those partner-led opportunities.” 

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