Cameron Small, a beloved member of the financial services sector, has passed away at the age of 54 after a brief battle of cancer.
Small, who had held senior positions at fintech lender Shift and Pepper Money, passed away late Tuesday afternoon (November 28) in Sydney.
The Sydney-based leader leaves behind his wife and two children.
Most recently the chief financial officer at Shift, Small had had over 20 years of experience across investment banking and lending businesses in Australia and internationally.
Jamie Osborn, CEO of Shift, said, “Cameron was a genuinely wonderful person who earned the admiration of many within our industry”.
“He was not only a valued colleague and friend to many of us at Shift but also highly respected throughout the industry for his expertise and his warm and approachable demeanour,” Osborn said.
“Our thoughts and support are with Cameron’s family, friends, team, and former colleagues at this time. He will be truly missed.”
Prior to leading the finance and treasury teams at Shift, Small was the group CFO and group director at Pepper Financial Services Group, the international parent company of nonbank lender Pepper Money.
Over the period of 2011-2020, Small managed CFO and COO activities spread across Australia, UK, Ireland, India, Spain, Cyprus, Greece, China, Hong Kong, and South Korea.
He oversaw multiple departments, including finance, treasury, IT, risk, legal, compliance and investor relations.
Pepper Money ANZ CEO Mario Rehayem, who started working at the company around the same time as Small, said, “it is truly a sad day for all of us at Pepper Money”.
“Cameron, our former Group CFO and Group Director, was an exceptional individual who made a significant impact on our organisation during his 10-year tenure at Pepper Money,” Rahayem said.
“His passion, professionalism, and unwavering commitment to excellence were truly inspiring. Cameron was not only a valuable senior executive member but also a dear friend to many of us and he will be greatly missed.”
Rehayem said he would personally always remember Cameron for his positive attitude, his love for his family, and his willingness to go above and beyond to help others.
His contributions to our team and the legacy he leaves behind will forever be cherished. “Our thoughts are with his family during this difficult time.”
Before establishing himself as a prominent figure in the Australian lending industry, Cameron Small held senior positions at esteemed international financial institutions such as Altium Capital, Credit Suisse, and Nomura.
While his unwavering commitment to the financial services sector was remarkable, Small's lasting impact will continue to be felt by those who were profoundly influenced by approach to life.
“Having had the pleasure of knowing and working alongside him for nearly 20 years, I am devastated by his loss, as I’m sure all his current and former colleagues at Shift and Pepper Money ANZ will also be,” said Patrick Tuttle, who worked with Small at both companies as well as at PWC in London during the mid-1990s.
“Cameron is one of life’s good guys, a true professional in every sense of the word,” Tuttle said.
“Cameron leaves a significant and lasting footprint on the Australian financial services industry, one which will be very difficult for others to replicate. As a CFO, I can’t recall anyone better. As a friend and colleague, he is second to none.”
“Our sincere and heartfelt sympathies go to Fiona, Oscar, and Max, and to Cameron’s extended family at this very sad time.”
“We will mourn him, and we will deeply miss him.”
If you require bereavement support or confidential support counselling, you can access help through the following free resource:
Griefline 1300 845 745
