People

Collins leaves Peros

Mike Pero Mortgages chief executive Mark Collins has accepted a new role outside of the finance industry.

Collins, who also headed up Liberty Finance and Mike Pero Real Estate, is the new chief executive at ChildFund.

ChildFund New Zealand was established in 1990, to help children and young people to thrive in communities impacted by poverty.

After working in the finance sector for more than 20 years, it’s a big move - but one that is close to Collins’ heart; as well as leading large multi-national organisations in his career, he has also initiated small start-ups, including his own charitable enterprise.

“Starting a business that helps people gift their tax rebate back to charities opened my eyes to the hugely valuable work being done by charities.”

Collins says it’s an exciting time to take the helm at the not-for-profit.

“There is an amazing opportunity to build on the work that has already been done by the ChildFund team and to move forward in addressing the many challenges facing the international development and charity sector.

“Not least the impact of COVID-19, and now Omicron, on the work in the field, but also driving forward funding initiatives to ensure we can keep delivering impact to the children and communities we serve.”

Collins, who has also held roles Sovereign and NZ Home Loans, says stepping into the international development sector is an opportunity not only to utilise his experience to deliver impact, but an opportunity to grow personally.

“I have the commercial and leadership skills - and I look forward to helping ChildFund optimise its funding and new innovations, to lead to even more impact for the children.

“I can think of no higher calling than making an impact to the lives of children to help them achieve their potential.”

Digby Butcher has been appointed to the newly-created role of Director of Mortgages and Lending at Aurora Financial.

Aurora is an Auckland-based firm which recently launched its own KiwiSaver scheme. It is now looking to grow mortgage advice, thus the new role.

Previously, Butcher spent nearly seven years with Threefold Advisors as an adviser and client services manager.

Aurora managing director Simon Rolland says Butcher brings “a huge skillset and knowledge as we look to scale our mortgage business.”

“Digby is passionate about giving clients the best advice and deals around their home loans, and is looking forward to the challenge of growing our team across the country.”

The new role includes growing the business, overseeing tricky transactions, ensuring advisers provide a high standard of advice and looking after the back end of the business.

SBS Banks has named Shaun Drylie's successor

Mark McLean has been appointed chief executive at SBS Banks following the recent resignation of Shaun Drylie.

A member of the SBS team for more than 10 years, McLean has held various roles, including Chief Risk Officer and acting Interim CEO. Most recently, as General Manager Member Experience, he headed up the Branch Network, Contact Centre and Marketing and Customer Insight divisions, as well as sitting on the board of SBS Bank’s subsidiary company, Finance Now.

Originally from Southland, McLean is a well-respected member of the community in both Southland and Otago. He brings a wealth of business experience and knowledge through his working career prior to SBS, which included international banking leadership roles in Europe and Asia.

As a long-serving member of the SBS Bank Senior Management team, McLean has been heavily involved in developing and delivering the SBS strategy. The SBS Board believes that his appointment will ensure the organisation has continuity, as well as ongoing momentum in terms of future direction and strategy.

SBS Chairman Joe O’Connell says McLean’s broad exposure within SBS gives him a well-balanced understanding of the group – and of what makes it unique.

“He has an undeniable passion for SBS. He believes strongly that member ownership is important and that being a mutual sets us apart. We believe Mark is a real asset to the organisation and have every confidence that his leadership will ensure the continued growth and success of SBS into the future."

McLean says his belief in SBS remains as strong as when he joined the group in 2011.

“I knew that I had joined a special organisation, and my passion for providing the very best experience for our members has never waned. Being a member-owned bank is pretty unique. We’ll continue to keep our members at the heart of everything we do.”

He will remain in his current position as GM Member Experience until December, when current SBS Group CEO Shaun Drylie leaves the organisation, after five years, to be closer to family and business interests in Canterbury. ✚