Richard Waddel BCom FCA AFInstD – Chairman of Directors
Richard brings with him a wealth of business experience and knowledge to the Company. His background is in accountancy, business advisory and consulting and he has held a large number of directorships in private and public companies and Government organisations. Richard was a partner for 34 years in Ernst & Young and held the position of Chief Executive for a period of 11 years with responsibility for the overall direction, strategic planning and marketing of services for the firm. His current appointments include amongst others, Chairman of Pharmaceutical Management Agency, Auckland Festival Trust, and the Aotea Centre Board of Management. Richard is a fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants and a member of the Institute of Directors.

John Callaghan BBS – Managing Director
John has over 16 years experience in the New Zealand banking and finance industry, initially with the Bank of New Zealand, Business Banking in Auckland and then in the marketing division in Wellington. John then moved to ASB Bank Limited, where he undertook credit assessment, then residential and commercial lending roles. He also has a high level of experience in property development. He is the founding managing director and was responsible for the formation of New Zealand Finance in 1997 and its very successful progress to date. His current responsibilities include the Group’s strategic development, marketing initiatives and the credit approval process.

Mark Thornton – Executive Director
Mark has over 31 years experience in the banking and finance industry in New Zealand. He initially joined Bank of New Zealand and gained experience in areas of retail banking then moving to managerial roles in commercial and corporate banking for 18 years up until 1992. He then moved to ASB Bank Limited taking up a management role in ASB’s commercial division up until 2000 when he left to take up full time employment with New Zealand Finance Limited. During his banking career he focused on all facets of lending assessment to a wide range of business from the major corporates to medium to small sized companies. He is a founding director and his current responsibilities include business development activities and lending evaluation and assessment and the credit approval process.

Jeff Barkwill FCA, DipCM – Non-executive Director
Jeff brings strong financial, non-executive director and consultancy experience to the Company. He has held several medium to large company Chief Financial Officer positions across New Zealand/Australia in a variety of industries, more recently being Chief Financial Officer Asia Pacific for TMP Worldwide, based in Sydney. He is now a consulting Chartered Accountant and non-executive director, specialising in corporate financial management, with a wide variety of clients. He is a Fellow and councillor of the Institute of Chartered Accountants and a member of the Institute of Directors.

Peter Huljich BCom, Dip. NZX, SA Fin - Non-executive Director
Peter is the Managing Director and Chief Investment Officer of Huljich Wealth Management, one of New Zealand's leading KiwiSaver providers. He has extensive and specialist knowledge of the financial markets with over ten years experience successfully investing in New Zealand, Australia, Europe and the Americas. His understanding and familiarity of the securities industry complements the strengths of the current Board. In addition he is a non-executive Director of Finance Direct and Sugar International Limited.

Pat O’Connor – Non-executive Director
Pat is well known and respected in the local business community. He has had a very broad background primarily focused on wholesaling and retailing and up until recently he owned and operated a very successful chain of stores, importing and retailing furniture. He recently sold the business to concentrate on his diverse property interests. Pat is a founding director of New Zealand Finance Limited and his involvement includes an advisory capacity offering a diversity of business skills and experience.