‘Dream next step’ with MTF
Rowena Davenport is returning to MTF Finance in a “dream next step” after being appointed to lead the company’s credit function and to also offer strategic support to the wider business as part of its senior leadership team.
She takes up her role on February 14, initially for a 12-month period, and is currently chief executive officer of Otago law firm Gallaway Cook Allan and on the board of the New Zealand Rugby Union.
Davenport, pictured, previously spent more than 16 years with MTF Finance in treasury and strategy manager roles up until June 2021. She has also worked for Dunedin City Holdings and Dunedin City Treasury in the past.
Chris Lamers, MTF Finance’s chief executive officer, describes her as “one of those rare people that can develop strategy and then be detailed enough to deliver on it”.
“She is a passionate supporter of MTF Finance. Her previous experience, combined with what she delivered at Gallaway Cook Allan and is achieving on the NZRU board, gives her a unique perspective on our business,” he adds.
“Our franchise and dealer originators are experiencing rapid growth, which we recently strengthened with the purchase of the Lending People to drive business performance for existing and new products.
“Add to this the threat of a potential recession, and the credit function is increasingly a key area of focus for us.
“Rowena will work with our experienced teams to enhance our community-based lending model and leverage the best of new systems to ensure we make the best possible credit decisions for our customers."
Davenport says she is excited to return to MTF Finance and have the opportunity to contribute to the organisation where her career began.
“I’ve been privileged to work in some of Dunedin's most well-established and successful businesses, and my professional and governance career has benefited from the experiences and connections I gained from each of them,” she explains.
“I’m at a point now where I'm keen to leverage those skills and experiences to meet more of my personal and professional goals, and the opportunity to go back to where it started, to MTF Finance, is a dream next step.
“I'm looking forward to contributing to the exciting journey MTF's on and supporting the team to fulfil the organisations' growth ambitions.”
