Non-bank lender
Liberty Financial has appointed a new chief executive officer and chief financial officer to head up and expand its New Zealand operations.
Mark Collins has been appointed as the lenders new CEO and Gareth Clague has been appointed as CFO of all of Liberty’s New Zealand group companies.
Liberty’s New Zealand group spans a lending business established in 2001, a deposit business established in 2008 and Mike Pero Mortgages, in which full ownership was obtained in 2013. Mike Pero is New Zealand's largest franchise mortgage broking company, processing in excess of $1billion worth of loans each year.
Liberty managing director, Sherman Ma, says the appointment of Collins and Clague marks a new phase in the development and expansion of the Liberty and Mike Pero businesses.
“The strength of the New Zealand economy continues to create demand for the innovative financial products and services.
“In response to this demand, we are focused on supporting our business partners with a leading service, while growing the Mike Pero franchise network which, through its experienced advisers, brings much needed choice to consumers across the country.
“Mark and Gareth’s qualifications and deep experience in financial services, consumer finance and mortgage lending, will benefit the broader industry and our customers through brokers and a highly engaged franchise network.”
Prior to joining Liberty, Collins was the CEO of New Zealand Home Loans, a position he held for more than four years. He has also held senior roles with Sovereign.
“It is a great privilege and exciting opportunity to be appointed chief executive officer of our New Zealand businesses and to be working with Gareth Clague and our broader team,” Collins said.
“The strategy will continue to deliver what business partners and consumers are looking for and expect, which is fair, fast and fuss-free financial solutions and personal service.”
Clague was most recently a specialist with the BNZ and formerly with New Zealand Development Trust.
