Women in Business Broking on the Rise with 46% AIBB Membership Growth in One Year

by Vanessa Lovie-Yousaf 29th of October, 2025

Women in Business Broking on the Rise with 46% AIBB Membership Growth in One Year

Today, there are 60 women who are members of the AIBB, that is a staggering 46% growth due to the 19 women who joined in the last 12 months.

When Bsale first launched 25 years ago, business broking looked very different. The industry was smaller, fast-paced, and largely male-dominated, not by design, but by tradition. The broker’s role was viewed as a sales-driven pursuit built around long hours, firm handshakes, and cold calls.

Today, the profession has matured into something much broader. The modern broker is increasingly seen as a trusted advisor, someone who combines strategy, financial analysis, and emotional intelligence to guide business owners through valuation, negotiation, and succession. The goal is no longer simply to close a deal but to hold it together, ensuring that buyers and sellers reach the finish line with confidence.

As the role has evolved, so too has the diversity of people entering the field. Across Australia, more women are stepping into business broking, bringing with them business ownership experience, professional training, and fresh perspectives. Many have sold their own businesses and discovered a natural next step in helping others do the same. As one broker put it, “I sold my business, didn’t know what to do next, and someone suggested I become a broker.”

It’s a profession that people often fall into rather than dream about, yet for many, it becomes a deeply rewarding path that blends commercial expertise with human connection.

A New Wave of Women Shaping the Industry

According to the Australian Institute of Business Brokers (AIBB) women now make up around 19% of its 324 national members, with 60 female brokers currently members. Of these, 19 joined in the past 12 months marking a staggering 46% increase in female membership in just one year. If the trend continues, women could represent one in four brokers at the AIBB within the next few years.

Women in Business Broking at the AIBB

This growth reflects the profession’s shift from traditional salesmanship toward a more advisory, relationship-based approach one where empathy, communication, and trust matter as much as financial acumen.

Dione Mauric from Advantage Business Sales and Valuations sees clear parallels with other professions that have evolved over time. “Back then, there weren’t many female accountants either. Now, accounting is predominantly women,” she says. “I think business broking is heading the same way. Emotional intelligence and empathy are crucial in this role, and those skills really add value to clients.”

That ability to connect on both a professional and emotional level is becoming a key strength. Sally Stuart from LINK NSW agrees, noting that “women make great business brokers because we’re better listeners, we can multitask, and from an emotional perspective, we’re a lot more advanced.”

Across the industry, more women are stepping into roles that blend commercial understanding with emotional intelligence, a combination increasingly recognised as essential to managing complex business sales and building lasting client relationships.

Women in Business and the Bigger Picture Behind the Trend

The rise of women in business broking reflects a much broader shift happening across Australia. According to the Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman (ASBFEO), 35% of small businesses are now owned or led by women double the rate of the 1970s. These entrepreneurs are often driven by creativity, independence, and the need for flexibility, turning everyday challenges into business opportunities.

As more women start, grow, and eventually sell their businesses, the demand for brokers who truly understand their journey is increasing. Selling a business isn’t just a financial transaction it’s emotional, personal, and often tied to years of hard work and identity. For many female business owners, working with a broker who shares that understanding can make all the difference.

“Seventy-five per cent of the people I’m talking to are middle-aged women. They’re often part of a husband-and-wife team, and they want someone who appreciates both the business and the personal side of the sale.” Fiona Napier from Stockbridge Business Brokers.

This is where female brokers are stepping in. Many have lived that same experience juggling family, managing staff, navigating growth, and handling the emotional weight of selling a business. Their ability to combine empathy with commercial insight is building stronger client relationships and helping women feel heard and supported throughout the process.

Why More Women Are Choosing Business Broking

The new generation of business brokers is as analytical as it is empathetic. Once dominated by traditional “salesmanship,” the profession now demands the ability to listen, analyse, and solve complex problems, traits many women bring naturally to the table.

Jan Forsyth from LINK NSW believes the career suits those who’ve lived the realities of running a business. “It is a good career for women, but you’ve got to be the right candidate,” she says. “It helps if you have a business background. There’s a lot of ongoing learning and training, which I enjoy.”

The flexibility of the profession is another major drawcard. Many brokers balance family life with professional ambition, managing their time in a way that fits their lifestyle. Olivia Casson from GSE Hospitality Brokers says, “There are opportunities for everyone, irrespective of gender, and it’s proof that business broking is evolving. It’s a great career for women because it taps into skills we often already have. Because there’s often a lot going on, the broker needs to keep everything moving forward, and that’s something we do well.”

That balance of professionalism and empathy is also helping reshape agency culture. Collaboration is replacing competition, and teamwork is replacing hierarchy. Davina Lacey from Stockbridge Business Brokers notes, “I see that trend increasing as more women gain confidence to use their business experience as brokers.” It’s this combination of credibility, connection, and care that’s redefining the profession and attracting a new wave of talent.

Collaboration Over Competition is Changing the Culture

Visibility has become one of the most powerful tools in attracting more women into business broking. Elle Likopoulos from Absolute Business Brokers believes sharing stories is key. “If more women talk about how empowering this career can be, others will see what’s possible,” she says. Her goal is simple: “I want to get to a point where there’s more than one or two women in every agency.”

Similarly, Jennifer Angsiting from New Gen Business Agents sees diversity as a source of strength. “There are still more men than women, but the gap is closing,” she says. “Bringing a female personality adds balance.”

And that balance is evident in the way many women approach their work. Lily Small from LUX Business Sales believes emotional steadiness is one of the most valuable traits in broking. “Women often bring emotional stability, and that matters,” she says. “Still, this is a tough career for anyone. Only the toughest and hardest working can last.”

The Launch of WIBB

It all started over lunch. During an International Women’s Day lunch I attended in 2024 at Kingsleys on the Pier in Woolloomooloo, a few of us were chatting about life, work, and the industry. In the middle of that conversation, Joanna Oakey had a brilliant idea: why not create a space just for women in business broking to connect, share experiences, and support one another?

That casual chat turned into something much bigger. Today, the Women in Business Broking Network (WIBB) has grown into a vibrant community of women across business sales, valuations, and M&A. Through online forums and in-person catch-ups, members swap ideas, share advice, and explore new opportunities together.
What began as a lunchtime conversation has become a genuine movement one built on collaboration, connection, and a shared passion for the industry.

The Future is Balanced Not Replaced

The influx of women into business broking isn’t about changing the game it’s about broadening it. It reflects an industry that’s becoming more professional, more advisory, and more people-focused.

At Bsale, we’ve witnessed this shift firsthand over the past two and a half decades. The brokers who succeed today combine business acumen with empathy, structure with flexibility, and analysis with understanding. These aren’t qualities exclusive to any gender but they are increasingly being exemplified by women who bring their own balance and perspective to the profession.

As Elle Likopoulos puts it, “I want to get to a point where there’s more than one or two women in every agency.” With current momentum, that vision doesn’t seem far away. Business broking, like the businesses it represents, is evolving and with more women joining its ranks, the future looks stronger, more balanced, and more connected than ever.

Tags: business broker tips selling