Profile
“Westfield Specialty and I have been trying to make sure we are opportunistic in the marketplace and that has allowed us to grow profitably and create a broader and more diversified portfolio”
Jack Kuhn
Westfield Specialty
Rachael Howlett didn’t plan on a career in finance, but after meeting Infinity Group co-founder Graeme Holm, she made a bold move by joining the brokerage in 2017.
Starting as a relationship manager, Howlett transitioned to broker support in 2019 and became a qualified mortgage broker and finance strategist in May 2023. This progression exemplifies her commitment to steering clients toward financial freedom and stability.
Howlett’s dedication earned her numerous accolades from MPA, including Rising Star of 2025, a spot on the Top 50 Brokers list in her first year as a broker, and recognition in 2024 as one of the Advisor’s Top 100 Brokers for outstanding residential home loan volumes. She has also recently won Rate My Agent's Broker of the Year for 2025.
“I take a lot of pride in the Rising Star award, as I’m on the older side of the requirements and have often felt behind in life,” says the 35-year-old. “It proves it’s never too late to start a new career or back yourself. I left everything I knew in events and operations management to enter an industry I knew little about. In less than two years as a broker, I’m recognised with one of the most prestigious accolades.”
Managing client expectations is a key challenge in her role, especially when they aim for ambitious goals inspired by success stories they’ve heard. For example, she helped a couple who, after a serious wake-up call from a motorcycle accident, clear all owner-occupier debt within 15 months. By restructuring their loan and guiding decisions, they own their home outright, hold four investment properties, and have attained financial security.
“I bring a fresh mindset to the current market,” Howlett explains. “I know the industry is different from what it was before I started, so I don’t have anything to compare my current approach to, so I get to shape my approach and standing in the industry to one that is new, current, fresh and innovative.”
Reflecting on her work, Howlett says these examples remind her why she loves making a tangible impact on people’s lives. She credits her thirst for knowledge, empathy, organisation, and high attention to detail for connecting with clients on a genuine level.
“I’ve often shed tears in meetings because I’m truly there with my clients, feeling what they’re going through,” she adds.
She also excels at explaining complex financial concepts in ways clients understand without feeling talked down to.
Infinity Group’s Money Mentor masterclasses are a significant aspect of her client attraction strategy. She credits embracing every aspect of financial education for her impressive career start, including mentorship from Holm, reading financial books, and completing her finance and mortgage broking studies for her early career success.
Howlett remains focused on supporting clients through tailored strategies and ongoing financial education. She also aims to expand her role as a mentor within Infinity Group, guiding colleagues and fostering a culture of continuous improvement.
“I am now someone many of my colleagues come to for finance and strategy advice,” she notes. “This is something I take a lot of pride in because I get to create that larger ripple effect to not just my circle of wonderful clients but also my colleagues.”
4/1 Lake Orr Drive, Varsity Lakes, Queensland 4227
0447 221 922
rachael.howlett@infinity.com.au
au.linkedin.com/company/infinitygroupau
infinity.com.au
Rachael Howlett
Finance Strategist
Infinity Group Australia
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Milestones
“The biggest challenge is getting everyone comfortable with the pace that I’m looking for to drive our buildout and growth. How I deal with it is by being open and transparent, and responsive to questions or concerns”
Jack Kuhn
Westfield Specialty
2017–2018
2019–2023
2023–present
2023–present
2022–present
Relationship Manager and Finance Support at Infinity Group
2017–
2018
Finance Support at DPN
2019–
2023
2023–present: Finance Strategist at Infinity Group
2024: The Advisor Top 100 Brokers (No. 16), MPA’s Top 100 Brokers (No. 43), and Infinity Employer of the Year
2025: Rate My Agent's Broker of the Year
2023–
present
2023–present: Mortgage Broker at Insight Property Finance
2023–2024: The brokerage won Connective’s NSW/ACT Brokerage of the Year award in the <5 brokers category
2023–
present
2022–2022: Business Development Manager - VIC at Assetline Capital
2022–present: Director at Mach Mortgages
2022–
present
Assistant Vice President and Senior Broker at MJ Hall & Company since 2018
Present
Milestones
Aug 2022
Milestones
Sept 2021
Feb 2022
Apr 2022
Jul 2022
Aug
2022
Suncorp Bank introduces Solar Home Bonus offer for customers who are choosing renewable energy for their homes
Sept 2021
Month-on-month market share growth commences
Feb 2022
Suncorp Bank wins the Canstar award for most outstanding value in investment loans
Apr 2022
Suncorp Bank wins Money Magazine’s Bank of the Year and Business Bank of the Year awards for the fifth year in a row
Jul 2022
Suncorp Bank’s turnaround times are the lowest they have ever been. The lender becomes Australia’s first certified carbon neutral bank for both its operation and transaction services
Aug 2022
Milestones
Kuhn says, “I would say my career has been one of more of chance and opportunities than a set plan. And it’s interesting how one decision has a ripple effect on putting you on a different path than maybe where you thought you would be.”
He highlights his spell at Endurance as his biggest professional achievement to date.
“It took some time, but we took them from really being viewed as a reinsurance company to being viewed as a global insurance company.”
It’s this type of innovative attitude that is powering Westfield Specialty forward so successfully.
Kuhn explains, “Westfield Specialty and I have been trying to make sure we are opportunistic in the marketplace and that has allowed us to grow profitably and create a broader and more diversified portfolio.”
Part of this has seen the firm acquire the existing Lloyd’s of London Syndicate 1200 in February 2023. It is also Kuhn’s ingenuity that has allowed Westfield Specialty to outperform expectations in challenging market conditions.
“I would say it’s been the understanding that there is a limited window of time. We're in this unique market, we need to be fast and decisive to take advantage of market opportunities before the market begins to move away,” he comments. “Additionally, I'd like to say we move with a lot of speed, but we do it in a thoughtful and methodical approach, not just to be the first.”
However, it has been an intricate process to ensure his team are onboard with his vision. Kuhn places importance of explaining his targets and the blueprint to achieve them.
He adds, “The biggest challenge is getting everyone comfortable with the pace that I’m looking for to drive our buildout and growth. How I deal with it is by being open and transparent, and responsive to questions or concerns. This way, everything gets thoroughly discussed and resolved.”
With almost four decades in the industry, Kuhn has developed methods that have consistently delivered. It is why he has been tasked with so many leadership roles and he intends to maintain his focus on creating more success at Westfield Specialty.
“I think I am and have always tried to be methodical. I look at the big picture yet stay focused on executing the different opportunities or plans that I have in front of me. I don’t get emotional or make emotional decisions.”
Chief underwriting officer of executive risk at Chubb
President of financial insurance solutions at Kemper
Chief underwriting officer at Axis Capital
CEO of global Insurance at Endurance
CEO of global Insurance at Sompo International
Kuhn joined Westfield Specialty in the firm’s first year (2021) and has established the company’s presence in the specialty market. By the end of 2023, the firm is expected to surpass $1.3 billion in GWP after writing $300 million in 2021.
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