Liberty appoints NZ executives

By James Mitchell

01 February 2016

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Liberty Financial has appointed a new chief executive officer and chief financial officer to lead its New Zealand operations.

Mark Collins has been appointed chief executive officer and Gareth Clague appointed chief financial officer of all of Liberty’s New Zealand group companies, including Mike Pero Mortgages.

In a statement, Liberty said that Mike Pero remains New Zealand's largest franchise mortgage broking company, processing in excess of $1billion worth of loans each year.

Liberty’s managing director, Sherman Ma, said the appointment of Mr Collins and Mr Clague marked 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,” Mr Ma said.

"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.”

Mr Collins’ most recent role was as chief executive of New Zealand Home Loans, a position he held for more than four years. Previously he held senior roles with Sovereign.

Mr Clague was most recently a specialist with the BNZ and formerly with New Zealand Development Trust. With two decades’ capital markets experience across the United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand, he is an expert in consumer, commercial finance, funding and insurance.

“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,’ Mr Collins said.

“I look forward to building on the outstanding efforts of Simon Frost, our former national manager, who has relocated to Australia with his family to take on a new role with the group,” he 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.”