Success in finance celebrated
It was a night of celebration for New Zealand’s non-bank lending sector at the biggest awards night organised by the Financial Services Federation (FSF).
The ceremony returned on November 16 following a two-year hiatus to showcase the positive impacts FSF members contribute to the sector and their customers.
Lyn McMorran, the federation’s executive director, says: “We started these awards four years ago because we were tired of dodgy lenders hogging the spotlight when there are so many excellent people in this sector who take pride in their work and responsible lending seriously.
“There are 1.7 million New Zealanders who are customers of FSF members and countless stories of good borrowing experiences to go with that. This is a moment to acknowledge that.”
The awards’ entry criteria put particular emphasis on dedication to good outcomes for consumer and business customers.
The judging panel for 2022 comprised of FinCap chief executive Ruth Smithers, Financial Services Complaints CEO Susan Taylor and Chapman Tripp partner Luke Ford. Here’s the full rundown on the award-winners and finalists.
Autosure Rising Star
Winner: Mark Wilson, of Latitude Financial. Finalists: Chris Fifita, of DebtManagers, and Eona Ikilei, of CFS Finance. This award is for professionals new to the industry who demonstrate outstanding achievement and commitment to New Zealand’s responsible financial services sector.
Centrix Workplace Champion
Winner: Daniel Aldridge, of CFS Finance, pictured above with Monika Lacey, of Centrix. Finalists: Rebecca Stuart, of Avanti Finance, and Irene Craig, of CFS Finance. This award recognises backstage heroes in the workplace whose outstanding attitude and support work empowers the organisation to thrive.
Provident Insurance Leadership Award
Winner: Angela Jorgensen, of CFS Finance, pictured below with Steve Owens, CEO of Provident Insurance. Finalists: Michael Harrison, of Avanti Finance, and Kieran Stott, of DebtManagers. This award celebrates the FSF’s leaders who empower their team, promote good conduct, company culture and outcomes for customers.
Happy Prime Team Spirit Award
Winner: Oxford Credit Services. Finalist: DebtManagers’ field-agents team. This award is for high-achieving teams with a fantastic team spirit, who look after each other and make the workplace a good place to be.
Speirs Finance Innovation Award
Winner: Centrix. Finalists: Equifax and Lexis Nexis. This award is for FSF member companies that have displayed significant innovation, initiative and thought leadership to enhance their company’s or clients’ abilities to thrive.
Equifax Community and Sustainability Award
Winner: Avanti Finance. Finalist: Go Car Finance. This award celebrates FSF member companies involved in initiatives that have a positive impact on the lives of New Zealanders.
“The judges were impressed by Avanti’s co-ordinated effort across their whole business when it comes to people, the wider community and our planet,” says McMorran.
“Of note was Avanti’s structured framework and dedicated resource to organise volunteering opportunities for staff to volunteer in the community with the likes of Eat My Lunch, Ronald McDonald House, Motuihe Island Care and Helping Homeless Families. Avanti has also supported IHC to contribute towards development of an app designed to promote financial literacy for people with intellectual disabilities.”
The gala dinner and awards ceremony followed the FSF’s ICE Conference. Also sold out, this focused on innovation, conduct and empowerment.
Among the line-up was Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister David Clark, ANZ chief economist Sharon Zollner, National Party commerce spokesman Andrew Bayly, Commerce Commission general manager of credit Louise Unger and Diane Tate, CEO of the Australian Finance Industry Association.
