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Rapid Loans, a Gold Coast-based lender established in 2003 that provides personal and auto loans, has announced two senior appointments to its executive team.
Kane Jones, who was promoted to chief operating officer in November 2025, has been appointed as CEO for the personal and auto lender.
Founder and former CEO Russell Birse will transition to the role of executive chair, providing continuity and strategic oversight as the business enters its next phase.
Jones brings more than 20 years’ experience in financial services risk and compliance, including enterprise and operational risk, credit risk, and regulatory compliance. Prior to joining Rapid Loans, he served as chief risk officer at The Mutual Bank.
As CEO, Jones will lead the company’s strategic direction, culture, and operations and manage the executive team.
Commenting on his appointment, Jones said his focus would be on strengthening the company’s risk and compliance frameworks.
“Rapid has a strong foundation and a clear opportunity to lift how we operate in an increasingly complex regulatory environment,” Jones said.
“My focus is on embedding stronger risk and compliance frameworks across the business, while ensuring we continue to grow responsibly and deliver straightforward, supportive finance solutions for customers. With the right leadership, governance and systems in place, 2026 is about building confidence, capability and momentum.”
Alongside Jones’ promotion, Lois Zhang has also been promoted to chief financial officer, having led the company’s financial strategy, planning, and budgeting since March last year.
Zhang brings nearly 18 years of international experience across Australia, China, and Europe, with expertise spanning financial operations, funds management, project finance, mergers and acquisitions, and consultancy.
At previous roles, including at Aurum Capital and GHD, she led finance teams, supported major project funding initiatives, and worked across complex financial environments. As CFO, Zhang will continue to oversee the company’s financial management and support its growth objectives.
Jones and Zhang will work alongside chief growth officer Geoffrey Keir as Rapid Loans explores new growth opportunities.
The lender said that the appointments reflect the lender’s focus on meeting evolving regulatory requirements (in November 2025, the motor vehicle finance industry came under heightened regulatory scrutiny after the Australian Securities and Investments Commission reviewed the auto finance sector and identified shortcomings in sales practices and lender oversight), while continuing to pursue new revenue opportunities and product verticals.
Keir said broker partnerships will remain central to the lender’s approach.
“Our broker partnerships are integral to how we sustain and grow the business, and to how we deliver strong outcomes for customers,” Keir said.
“Rather than being in high acquisition mode, our focus is on the quality of those relationships, prioritising retention, long-term value and healthy alignment across our broker network.”
Keir said the leadership appointments support that focus.
“These leadership appointments reinforce that strategy. Brokers can expect stronger engagement and continued investment in fast, reliable service that makes it easier to do business with us. Our aim is to be a dependable, collaborative lending partner,” Keir said.
Outgoing CEO Birse said the leadership changes position Rapid strongly for the year ahead.
He stated: “Kane, Geoff and Lois bring deep expertise, strong leadership and a shared commitment to building a sustainable, compliant and customer-focused lender.
“As regulatory expectations continue to evolve, their experience will be critical to strengthening our foundations while enabling smart, scalable growth. With our executive team in place, we are confident 2026 will be a pivotal year for the business.”
[Related: Renown Lending scales up national SME lending to $400m]