Avanti Finance

Office address: 33 Broadway, Newmarket, Auckland 1023 
Website: www.avantifinance.co.nz 
Year established: 1989 
Company type: financial services 
Employees: 100+ 
Expertise: consumer finance, mortgage lending, business lending 
Parent company: Avanti Group 
Key people: Fred Ohlsson (group CEO), Glenn Hawkins (chairman of the board), Nish Sethi (CFO), Paul Jamieson (group treasurer), Ian Boyce (GM property), Olivia Meo-Groser (CRO), Mike Down (GM auto) 
Financing status: private equity-backed 

Avanti Finance is an Auckland-based non-bank lender providing tailored mortgage, investment property loans, renovation finance, and more. With over 30 years of service, the company employs over 100 people and serves nearly 100,000 customers. It has issued more than 13,000 property loans, operating through various brands, including Branded Financial Services, Bexhill Funding, and MyArt. 

History of Avanti Finance 

Avanti Finance’s journey began in 1989, starting in a small unit next to a laundromat. The company was established on the belief that everyone deserves the opportunity to achieve their goals with persistence. The name 'Avanti,' meaning 'go forward' in Italian, reflects their mission to help people progress, regardless of their circumstances.  

Their first customer, a woman needing a car loan, marked the beginning of their commitment to everyday Kiwis. Privately owned and chaired by Glenn Hawkins, Avanti Finance champions responsible financial practices as a member of the Financial Services Federation in New Zealand. Since 2019, Avanti has operated a prime motor vehicle financing business in Australia under the BFS brand, completing their first NZ Asset-Backed Security in 2023. 

Products and Services of  Avanti Finance 

Avanti Finance offers a range of products designed to meet various financial needs. Their key offerings include: 

• first or family home loans: tailored loans to help individuals buy their first or next home 
• investment property loans: solutions for buying investment properties 
• renovations and construction loans: loans for home renovations and construction projects, including covering cost overruns 
• bridging finance: short-term lending options to bridge the gap between purchasing a new property and selling an existing one 
• debt consolidation loans: loans to consolidate multiple debts into a single, manageable payment 
• tax bill loans: financing to help individuals pay their tax bills on time 

Culture at Avanti Finance 

Avanti Finance offers a supportive and inclusive work environment focused on customer service. The company balances being small enough for strong personal connections with being big enough to invest in innovation and employee development. Staff enjoy a collaborative atmosphere that promotes professional growth and teamwork, with benefits such as: 

• flexible and hybrid work arrangements 
• two days of remote work post-training 
• competitive salaries 
• monthly recognition and celebration events 
• access to online learning 
• cross-training opportunities 
• regular career development discussions 
• community engagement initiatives 
• annual volunteer day 
• weekly fruit deliveries and Healthy Food Guide membership 

Avanti Finance is dedicated to charitable initiatives and actively engages in community involvement. The company promotes employee participation in philanthropy by offering opportunities for staff to engage in various charitable activities. Each year, employees can dedicate one paid working day to a charity project of their choice, which have supported: 

• Dress for Success: provides professional attire and career support to women 
• Lifewise: an organisation about tackling homelessness and social development 
• Lifeline Connect: offers crisis support and suicide prevention services 
• SPCA: advocates for animal welfare and rescues animals in need 
• Foster Hope: supports children in foster care with essential items and resources 
• Duffy Books in Homes: distributes books to children to promote literacy 
• Cancer Society: provides support services and research funding for cancer patients 

Avanti Finance is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace and actively engages employees in this mission. The company regularly collects employee feedback to identify and implement improvements, ensuring a supportive environment. By promoting and valuing cultural diversity, Avanti Finance aims to enhance both business operations and workforce morale. 

• promoting an inclusive atmosphere: recognising and valuing individual differences 
• diversity-focused recruitment: committed to hiring and promoting a diverse workforce 
• quarterly engagement surveys: gathering feedback to continually improve employee experiences 
• new staff surveys: informing and enhancing the onboarding process 
• ad-hoc culture surveys: understanding employee perceptions and culture 
• care packages: providing support for employee wellbeing 
• regular wellbeing checks: conducted by managers and HR to ensure employee health and satisfaction 

About Avanti Finance Group CEO Fred Ohlsson and Key People 

Fred Ohlsson has served as the CEO of Avanti Finance since February 2024. His work history includes being managing director at Amplifi Group, group executive and MD at ANZ Australia, and an associate at McKinsey & Company. He earned an MBA from SDA Bocconi, a BSc in managerial economics from Lund University, and received a scholarship from the University of Konstanz. 

Key people assisting in operating the company include: 

• Glenn Hawkins, as an executive chairman of Avanti Finance, oversees the company’s strategic direction 
• Nish Sethi, serving as CFO, manages the company's financial operations and strategy 
• Paul Jamieson, as a group treasurer, handles the company’s treasury and liquidity management 
• Ian Boyce, a general manager property, manages Avanti’s property portfolio and related services 
• Olivia Meo-Groser, as a chief risk officer, oversees risk management strategies and policies 
• Mike Down, as general manager auto, leads the automotive finance division 

The Future at Avanti Finance 

Avanti Finance continues to develop its services alongside expanding its branding. Under the leadership of new CEO Fred Ohlsson, the company is poised for strategic advancement. His expertise in sales, strategy, and team leadership will drive Avanti Finance’s growth strategy and market expansion.  

The acquisition of GetCapital, now rebranded as Avanti Finance Business, broadens its lending capabilities and customer base. This move consolidates their brand, making it more recognisable and integrated within the company's overall strategy. By integrating these new assets and leveraging Ohlsson's expertise, Avanti Finance is well-positioned to meet future challenges and opportunities.