PEOPLE

Avanti business development manager Julia Winterbottom has been promoted to head of property.

Winterbottom, who has spent a decade at the non-bank lender, will continue to support advisers and co-ordinate the business development and lending teams.

The position is a newly-created role. Avanti said: "Julia has spent over 20 years in the mortgage space, including the last ten with Avanti as one of our award-winning BDMs. Julia has a proven track record in the adviser channel and has been relentless in her support of Avanti and our introducers."

"Her focus will be to see Avanti deliver on its goal to be advisers' non-bank of choice."

The new appointment comes as Avanti looks to expand its property team, the lender said.

Avanti Finance has added a specialist property lender to its team in Christchurch. The experienced Andy Eastgate joins the firm on the South Island.

Eastgate has broad experience in the banking and finance sector, most recently working for The Co-operative Bank as a senior lending consultant for over three years.

Before working for The Co-operative Bank, Eastgate was a mortgage adviser for nearly two decades.

He has also worked for the ANZ Bank in various roles from teller to business manager, over a 14 year period.

Avanti said: "Andy thoroughly enjoys working with mortgage advisers, building ongoing relationships, and being able to provide financial solutions to meet the needs of their clients."

Mike Pero Mortgages has brought in two new names in Auckland and Christchurch as the group continues to expand across the country.

The group has hired Rubina Khan to join Sheikhil Khan's team in Auckland, which is based in Manukau, south of the city.

Rubina is an experienced chartered accountant with more than 25 years in the tax and finance industry.

Khan will help the group service customers navigating the home buying process and help clients achieve their financial goals.

Before joining Mike Pero, Khan has worked as an accountant for Heartland Bank, the Auckland Kindergarten Association, NALCO, and Auckland Council, according to her LinkedIn page.

Meanwhile, Supreet Mahey joins MPM's Christchurch franchise owner Kurt Brandso.

Mahey previously worked in the retail sector, and joins Mike Pero in the Rolleston, Canterbury office.

Mike Pero Mortgages said Mahey "appreciates the value of effective communication and has strong customer service skills".

Mortgage Express has drafted in Stuart Dawe, who previously worked as an authorised financial adviser at Kiwibank for eight years.

The business said Dawe, to be based in Christchurch, "brings a wealth of experience and expertise in funds management, financial planning, budgeting and investment services".

Dawe added: "I have a very personal and proactive approach coupled with excellent networking skills. This has enabled me to develop and maintain strong client relationships that focus on growing the business. After eight highly successful years with Kiwibank and Kiwi Wealth, I'm excited to take on a new challenge at Mortgage Express."

The group said Dawe was keen to help first home buyers and those working their way up the property ladder.

"Securing a home loan can sometimes be daunting, and I'm here to help simplify this process. Working with Mortgage Express, I have the support of a great team and access to a comprehensive panel of lenders to get you into the home you want."

David Gopperth, general manager of Mortgage Express New Zealand, added: "Stuart's knowledge of the financial sector allows him to deliver a seamless customer-centric experience that goes beyond simply securing a mortgage for a client."

Mark Thompson joins the firm with close to 30 years' finance experience, having worked for three finance institutions.

Recently, Thompson was a mobile mortgage manager, and senior commercial manager.

He will provide financial advice to first home buyers, people restructuring, and clients seeking business-related finance. Thompson said: "I have entered the industry with a long banking history. This allows me to call upon experiences I have encountered in the past to ensure my clients benefit from my knowledge and skills in dealing with challenging funding applications."

David Gopperth said Thompson was "passionate about understanding and helping his clients reach their financial dreams and goals".

First Mortgage Trust has hired Andrew Doogan as a business development manager.

Doogan has over 30 years of experience in the banking sector, recently working for SBS Bank as a mobile mortgage manager for over four years.

Between 2014-2015, Doogan worked for TSB Bank, and before that worked as a mortgage adviser at The Mortgage Supply Company.

The experienced executive has also spent 14 years as a mobile mortgage manager at National Bank of New Zealand.

FMT said Doogan was “looking forward to getting out and reconnecting with former colleagues in the adviser space, as well as meeting and establishing new connections”.

Prospa Group has appointed Ross Aucutt as its new chief financial officer.

He joins the small business lender from FlexiGroup where he was CFO for almost four years. In that role, he built a high performing finance team and was responsible for driving growth whilst significantly increasing the efficiency of the business and balance sheet, with management of financial planning and analysis, capital management and treasury as well as merger and acquisitions.

Before this, Aucutt was group treasurer at Latitude Financial Services where he built a treasury function and was responsible for all funding, cash management, capital reporting and operations.

He has a strong background in nonbank disruptive finance models and the financial markets where he has worked at a senior level in large domestic and international organisations including the Royal Bank of Scotland / NatWest Group (London), Westpac (Sydney) and Barclays (London).

He replaces Peter Loosmore, Prospa's interim CFO since January 2020. ✚

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