Changes for finance group

Heartland Group has appointed Chris Flood as its new deputy chief executive officer and Leanne Lazarus will step into the role he is vacating and become Heartland Bank’s new chief executive.

The moves take effect from August 1, with Lazarus’ shift from Westpac subject to Reserve Bank of New Zealand non-objection.

Flood, pictured, has been with Heartland for 25 years after joining through MARAC Finance in 1997 and he led the motor finance business during Heartland’s establishment in 2011.

He has also been involved with the integration and growth of Heartland’s reverse mortgage businesses in New Zealand and Australia, the development of Heartland Bank’s livestock and asset finance divisions, and he became the bank’s chief executive officer in 2019.

Lazarus, pictured below, is currently chief executive officer and executive director of Westpac Life Ltd, Westpac NZ’s insurance entity. 

She has 30 years of experience in banking and financial services, during which time she has held a range of executive positions across Westpac NZ and ANZ Banking Group.

Heartland says Flood will formally move into his new role from November 1, allowing time for a “comprehensive handover” with Lazarus.