Headquarters:
60 Oxenham Street, Warwick, Qld 4370
Year founded:
1918
Number of employees:
120
Phone:
07 4666 9811
Email:
postbox@scotspgc.com.au
Website:
scotspgc.com.au
LinkedIn:
linkedin.com/school/the-scots-pgc-college
“We prioritise embracing cutting-edge technologies, creative problem solving and continuous improvement to enhance our premium funding solutions and provide exceptional value to our clients”
Amy Woodgate
Acting Principal
Blake Fatouros
Director of Teaching, Learning and Innovation
Richard Dobrenov
Deputy Principal and Head of Senior School
Leadership
Amy Woodgate is the acting principal and director of girls’ boarding at SCOTS PGC College. An experienced early years and primary educator, she has dedicated her career to creating high-quality learning environments that develop the whole child. At SCOTS PGC, Woodgate blends strategic leadership with connection to students and families, guiding learners as they navigate key transitions. She believes each student is unique, deserving of age-appropriate challenge, purposeful play and strong pastoral care. Her work champions community, values in action and opportunities for young people to question, collaborate and flourish in both day and boarding life.
Acting Principal
Amy Woodgate
Blake Fatouros is director of teaching, learning and innovation at SCOTS PGC College, bringing over two decades of educational leadership and a Master of Education (Leadership and Management) to his role. At SCOTS PGC, Fatouros is passionate about fostering innovative, engaging learning experiences that transcend the classroom and prepare students to be active global citizens. His educational philosophy centres on strong student–family partnerships, holistic development and embedding a vibrant co-curricular and pastoral framework that reflects respect, curiosity and meaningful student voice.
Director of Teaching, Learning and Innovation
Blake Fatouros
Richard Dobrenov serves as deputy principal and head of senior school at SCOTS PGC College. With a Master of Educational Studies, a Bachelor of Education and a Bachelor of Arts (history and English), he brings over three decades of experience to his leadership role. Dobrenov is deeply committed to pastoral care, believing that every student deserves to be known, supported and guided as a whole person – not just an academic learner. He embodies a philosophy of servant leadership, putting student wellbeing, community contribution and relational trust at the centre of school culture and operations.
Deputy Principal and Head of Senior School
Richard Dobrenov
BRETT BASTOW, IQUMULATE PREMIUM FUNDINGs
Leadership
Leadership
Jarrod Turner
Director of Co-Curricular Activities
Jarrod Turner serves as director of co-curricular activities at SCOTS PGC College, holding a BASc (ES). With extensive experience in sport, alumni relations and educational advancement, he leads a robust outside-the-classroom program offering more than 25 co-curricular activities. Turner believes co-curricular involvement builds community connection, personal growth and healthy life habits. His relational leadership fosters strong bonds among students, staff and families, amplifying SCOTS PGC’s identity as a unified, people-centred community where learning happens both inside and beyond the classroom.
Director of Co-Curricular Activities
Jarrod Turner
Nicky Skinner
Business Development Manager
Nicky Skinner, based in Christchurch, was honoured as NZ Adviser’s BDM of the Year. With over 20 years of banking experience – including roles as bank manager, private banker and senior lender – she brings deep expertise to her work. Skinner supports mortgage advisers with product knowledge and deal presentation skills, focusing on building strong, trusted relationships. Her collaborative approach and dedication make her a valued resource, consistently praised for her guidance and support in helping advisers achieve outstanding client outcomes.
Business Development Manager
Nicky Skinner
Stevens & Associates Lawyers is a leading and trusted employment law firm based in Sydney known for delivering high-quality legal expertise in the area of employment law and industrial relations across Australia, alongside a proven track record of effectively and swiftly resolving a variety of workplace law issues.
In the past year, the firm’s growth has been notable. It has:
• experienced a 213% growth in the number of client matters, increasing from 149 client matters in the 2022 financial year to 390 client matters in the 2023 financial year
• improved its online visibility, leading to over 50 online enquiries each month and a conversion rate of client leads of up to 40%
• significantly expanded the breadth and type of matters that it advises on day to day, which has increased the firm’s skillsets, diversity and resilience
• expanded its community outreach by collaborating with local Sydney venues for client seminars and continuing active participation in a Sydney small/family business group
Stevens & Associates Lawyers has adapted to digital trends by implementing an effective strategy with SEO and web design, resulting in a structural shift that has seen increased representation of employees where the firm previously mainly advised employers.
The firm’s recognition as a “Fast Firm” attests to its momentum in the employment law space.
“IQumulate is on a technology journey, and we’re just getting started”
Wayne Tower,
IQumulate Premium Funding
Sarah Radonich
Third Party Support Manager
Steph Leeson
Business Development Manager
Margaret Leau-Sulusi
Business Development Manager
Pam Chhabra
Manager – Residential Strata
Sarah Radonich is a third party support manager (relief BDM) at Westpac, building strong relationships with mortgage advisers across New Zealand. With 15 years of banking experience, she supports a wide range of regions and communities, working alongside a team of experienced BDMs. Radonich is known for her responsiveness, collaboration and focus on delivering efficient, results-driven experiences for advisers and their clients, always striving for the best possible outcomes.
Third Party Support Manager
Sarah Radonich
Steph Leeson immigrated from the UK 14 years ago and began her Westpac career as a specialist lender. Now a business development manager, she supports mortgage advisers across Auckland and Northland, offering expert guidance and support. Leeson is highly regarded for her lending knowledge, responsiveness and collaborative approach. Her dedication was recognised nationally as a finalist for the 2025 NZ Adviser BDM of the Year award, reflecting her impact within the third party channel.
Business Development Manager
Steph Leeson
Margaret Leau-Sulusi brings over 20 years of banking experience to her role as business development manager, having started with Westpac in 2005. Her background includes lending support, senior lending roles and branch management. Leau-Sulusi partners closely with mortgage advisers, providing product expertise and strategic guidance to drive strong client outcomes. Known for her collaborative style and responsiveness, she is passionate about building trusted relationships and delivering customer-focused results.
Business Development Manager
Margaret Leau-Sulusi
Stephen McMillan first entered the financial services Industry when he joined GE Capital as a finance analyst in 2008, from which he progressed through roles working both onshore and offshore. From there, he moved into Pacific Premium Funding as a financial planning and analysis leader in 2012 and was a key resource in the evolution of the business, first with the successful sale to Macquarie Pacific Funding and then the following progression into IQumulate Premium Funding, where he is now the commercial manager.
As commercial manager, McMillan leads a team that is responsible for commercial analysis and business support, identifying and reporting improvement initiatives, and the securitization and treasury functions of the business.
Commercial Manager
Stephen McMillan
One culmination of these efforts has been the real-world, needs-based IQEdge solution. A one-stop online quoting tool designed for both the Australian and New Zealand markets, IQEdge delivers quotes in under 60 seconds. Plus, the solution offers quote comparison and quote versioning capabilities, enabling users to review vital historical and financial data in a single page view.
IQEdge can streamline and automate application processing, underwriting document verification and payment collection, cutting the need for manual labour and minimising processing errors. A digital “self-service” platform, IQEdge, reduces the need for customer and administrative support. Meanwhile, borrowers can access their accounts, make payments and manage their policies independently and through sales and support teams, which are always available for further assistance.
“We’ve created a quality platform that simplifies the quoting process yet amplifies the customer experience,” says Gordon. “It’s a real game changer.” IQumulate offers an online digital quoting tool to clients. The best-in-market solution enables IQumulate to tailor funding offerings to brokers that align with their prefered distribution channel.
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What does IQumulate have in mind for the future?
“IQumulate is on a technology journey, and we’re just getting started,” says Wayne Tower, CEO. “Through continuous engagement with our clients, partners, marketplace and industry, we will listen to the needs as they arise and position our business to be agile and respond to changes as they occur.
“Faster decision-making innovations such as AI-powered decision support systems can expedite the underwriting and approval process, leading to quicker responses to clients. This can improve client satisfaction and potentially attract more business, creating a competitive advantage with the potential to allow IQumulate to command premium pricing or capture a larger market share.
“As forward-thinkers with a digital and ‘do it better’ mindset, we collectively and proactively look to learn and improve on our customer experience for our clients, paving the way for successful business outcomes for our clients and our business in the coming years ahead.
“We’re excited for the future and look forward to what’s on the horizon.”
Adam Basaldella
Manager – Claims
Stephen McMillan first entered the financial services Industry when he joined GE Capital as a finance analyst in 2008, from which he progressed through roles working both onshore and offshore. From there, he moved into Pacific Premium Funding as a financial planning and analysis leader in 2012 and was a key resource in the evolution of the business, first with the successful sale to Macquarie Pacific Funding and then the following progression into IQumulate Premium Funding, where he is now the commercial manager.
As commercial manager, McMillan leads a team that is responsible for commercial analysis and business support, identifying and reporting improvement initiatives, and the securitization and treasury functions of the business.
Product Manager
Claire Watson
Stephen McMillan first entered the financial services Industry when he joined GE Capital as a finance analyst in 2008, from which he progressed through roles working both onshore and offshore. From there, he moved into Pacific Premium Funding as a financial planning and analysis leader in 2012 and was a key resource in the evolution of the business, first with the successful sale to Macquarie Pacific Funding and then the following progression into IQumulate Premium Funding, where he is now the commercial manager.
As commercial manager, McMillan leads a team that is responsible for commercial analysis and business support, identifying and reporting improvement initiatives, and the securitization and treasury functions of the business.
Commercial Manager
Stephen McMillan
Claire Watson
Product Manager
Stephen McMillan first entered the financial services Industry when he joined GE Capital as a finance analyst in 2008, from which he progressed through roles working both onshore and offshore. From there, he moved into Pacific Premium Funding as a financial planning and analysis leader in 2012 and was a key resource in the evolution of the business, first with the successful sale to Macquarie Pacific Funding and then the following progression into IQumulate Premium Funding, where he is now the commercial manager.
As commercial manager, McMillan leads a team that is responsible for commercial analysis and business support, identifying and reporting improvement initiatives, and the securitization and treasury functions of the business.
Product Manager
Claire Watson
Claire Watson
Product Manager
Stephen McMillan first entered the financial services Industry when he joined GE Capital as a finance analyst in 2008, from which he progressed through roles working both onshore and offshore. From there, he moved into Pacific Premium Funding as a financial planning and analysis leader in 2012 and was a key resource in the evolution of the business, first with the successful sale to Macquarie Pacific Funding and then the following progression into IQumulate Premium Funding, where he is now the commercial manager.
As commercial manager, McMillan leads a team that is responsible for commercial analysis and business support, identifying and reporting improvement initiatives, and the securitization and treasury functions of the business.
Product Manager
Claire Watson
“We also maintain open lines of communication with advisers so they know what to expect and can plan accordingly”
Hayley Burgess, ANZ Bank New Zealand
“We’ve invested heavily in resourcing and process improvements to reduce friction and speed up approvals”
Hayley Burgess, ANZ Bank New Zealand
Ivan Verescuk
Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director
Shaun O’Brien
Head of Underwriting
Emily Walker
Head of Strata and Development
Rex Oakman
Head of Operations and Risk
Sandy Newton
Head of Underwriting
Andrew Mitchell
Manager – NSW
Michael Prokopis
Manager – Southern Region
Pam Chhabra
Manager – Residential Strata
Jeffrey Valdivia
Manager – Commercial Strata
Adam Basaldella
Manager – Claims
SCOTS PGC College, a co-educational day and boarding school for Prep to Year 12, is defined by a culture of community, country values and an ethos of “always aiming higher”.
The college is underpinned by the values of:
spirit
authenticity
excellence
tenacity
respect
They seek to bridge the “school to future” gap, ensuring students leave with not only an ATAR or certificate but also with agency, adaptability, vocational or tertiary alignment and pathways that match their passions.
What sets SCOTS PGC apart is a willingness to innovate, ensuring education remains meaningful for every learner. Students are encouraged to pursue their passions through a holistic curriculum that integrates academic, co-curricular and vocational streams.
The college’s flagship innovation, the SCOTS MyWay program, exemplifies this commitment. Launched under the leadership of principal Kyle Thompson, from Year 10, MyWay offers two distinct senior pathways:
UniWay for tertiary-bound students
WorkWay for those seeking industry or vocational careers
The program’s success is not only measured by academic results and enrolment growth but also by student engagement, industry feedback and post-school outcomes, ensuring that every graduate is equipped with agency, adaptability and a clear sense of purpose.
Other innovative focuses are:
partnering with higher education and industry to redefine how senior schooling works
strong boarding program plus day schooling in a regional context – giving breadth of experience, cultural diversity and a unique community feel (day students, boarders, rural families and international students)
The college has also developed its own unique learning contexts through StudyPrep and WorkPrep, which extend learning beyond what is prescribed on paper. This allows the school to be agile in responding to the needs of students now, while also preparing them for what lies ahead.
While the college’s MyWay philosophy introduces pathway exploration early, fostering curiosity and self-awareness. This lays the groundwork for meaningful decision-making when students enter their final years.
Kyle Thompson’s philosophy that “learning is all about connection, not curriculum” has shaped a culture of ambition and belonging.
Director of Teaching, Learning and Innovation Blake Fatouros has championed curriculum redesign and real-world learning, while Deputy Principal Richard Dobrenov has embedded robust pastoral care and vertical support systems. Amy Woodgate, Acting Principal has driven strategic initiatives that align boarding and day school life with the MyWay philosophy.
For each innovation the leadership team establishes a staff working party selected for their strengths and expertise in relevant areas. Staff are also empowered to innovate in the classroom, integrating local industries such as agriculture, equestrian and STEM pathways, ensuring learning is both authentic and contextual.
SCOTS PGC’s innovation agenda is ongoing. Future plans include expanding university collaborations, deepening agricultural and industry partnerships and broadening global engagement.
The college’s collaborative and consultative approach to innovation ensures that every initiative is grounded in evidence, community input and a commitment to continuous improvement.
SCOTS PGC College is shaping a new paradigm for regional education where every learner is known, every pathway is valued and every future is possible.
IQumulate invests in education and people, which are vital to attracting new business and talent to the company.
“We have long tenures for several of our key staff, including some in leadership positions, and this sound working knowledge of our business, practices and industry provides great insights and a wealth of experience to offer our clients,” says Bastow. “Our new head of sales, Graeme Gordon, formerly manager for New Zealand, joins us in Australia to drive our sales strategy and lead our team to successful outcomes for our clients and our business. We look forward to great things ahead with Graeme as he continues to be active and present in the New Zealand market as well as building sound working relationships and new connections in Australia.”
Clients can also expect a lot from working with IQumulate.
“Through active engagement with our trusted broker network, IQumulate provides relevant information, education and training content,” says Graeme Gordon, head of sales. “Our clients can expect IQumulate to support their business in several ways, providing an understanding of what premium funding solutions are available and how IQumulate can spread the cost of insurance and help borrowers get the right level of insurance cover to free up their cash flow for other expenses or business growth opportunities. Premium funding is often considered a tool for those who simply cannot afford to pay their premiums in full. While this is certainly a significant driver for many, it is also successfully used by profitable companies who use premium funding to manage their cash flows more wisely or better manage their liquidity.”
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Overall
Resourcing has been treated as a deliberate lever for growth. ANZ has expanded assessor teams, trained them to combine technical expertise with empathy, and equipped them with the market knowledge to make faster, more reliable decisions.
Advisers depend on turnaround times that meet client expectations.
“We’ve invested heavily in resourcing and process improvements to reduce friction and speed up approvals,” says Hayley Burgess, ANZ head of mortgage adviser distribution. “We also maintain open lines of communication with advisers so they know what to expect and can plan accordingly.”
People development follows the same philosophy. New hires are chosen for both skill and attitude, and training goes beyond technical proficiency. Programs cover credit assessment, economic literacy and client engagement, with equal weight on empathy and communication. Advisers often work with clients under stress, and ANZ expects its people to balance expertise with human understanding.
