New face for Avanti Finance

Avanti Finance Group has announced the appointment of Mike Down as its general manager auto for New Zealand.

Down, pictured, joins the company after spending three years at ORIX New Zealand where he was head of sales and business development.

His other previous roles include being general manager of fleet services with John Andrew Ford & Mazda and general manager of relationship management and customer services at FleetPartners, where he worked for nearly nine years. 

He also has extensive experience working in banking and investments in New Zealand and the UK.

Down, who describes joining Avanti Finance as an “exciting opportunity”, says: “Avanti Finance has some ambitious plans and I can’t wait to help them come to fruition.”

Mark Mountcastle, chief executive officer, adds: “Mike’s depth of experience in the vehicle industry sees him as the right candidate to lead our team forward.

“Mike has extensive experience in sales and is a strong leader who takes a coaching approach as he creates high-performing teams.”