Avanti Finance wouldn’t be where it is today without its people. Our team is composed of a wide variety of people from different walks of life, including our executive, each member of which brings decades of experience in the finance industry – and beyond.
Meet our people
Fred Ohlsson
Avanti Group CEO
Fred joined Avanti Group in February 2024 and has extensive experience in senior leadership positions in the financial services sector in both New Zealand and Australia.
Liesl Knox
Chief Executive Officer – BFS AU
Liesl has been with Avanti Group since 2019, when she joined as Chief Risk Officer. In 2023, she became the CEO of our subsidiary Branded Financial Services Australia. Liesl brings more than 25 years’ experience in the finance industry in Australia, New Zealand and the UK.
Paul Jamieson
Group Treasurer
Paul leads the Treasury function for Avanti, having joined in July 2019 following 20 years in banking and financial markets in New Zealand, Australia and the UK.
Nish Sethi
Chief Financial Officer
Nish leads our finance team, bringing decades of global experience from New Zealand, Latin America and the United Kingdom. Nish has been with us since 2021.
Olivia Meo-Groser
Chief Operating Officer
Olivia joined Avanti Group in 2023 as our Chief Risk Officer. In 2024, she moved to the Chief Operating Officer role, heading up our customer-facing, product and pricing, and marketing teams. Olivia has over 20 years’ experience in the financial services sector in New Zealand, Australia, Europe and Asia.
Ben Anderson
Chief Risk Officer
Ben joined Avanti Finance in 2024, he has extensive banking experience from frontline and risk roles at ANZ and ASB across New Zealand and the Pacific. His expertise includes Operational Risk and Compliance, Financial Risk, and Credit Risk management across retail, small business, and commercial sectors.
Mena Eskander
Chief Technology Officer
Mena started his first technology business in 2001 and is one of the co-founders of Limelight Software and Motorcentral. He has a deep understanding of technology and how it can be utilised to create value for people and business
Tracy Pennell
General Manager Strategic Projects
Tracy joined Avanti in 2023 and has 20 years of experience within the banking and finance sectors in New Zealand and Australia. Tracy has extensive experience in strategy, business transformation and product management.
Ian Boyce
General Manager Property
Ian joined Avanti in November 2022 and leads the Property business. He brings almost 30 years of senior leadership experience in financial services, banking and insurance.
Robin Hopkins
General Manager Property Development & Business
Robin joined Avanti in 2017 from ANZ Bank. He has a strong focus on relationships along with significant experience in credit and maintains Avanti’s JV and partnership relationships.