Heartland Group appoints new CFO

Heartland Group Holdings announced the appointment of Cherise Barrie to the role of chief financial officer, subject to approval by the Reserve Bank of New Zealand.

She is to replace acting chief financial officer Myles Perry.

Ms Barrie, a chartered accountant, has previously held executive positions at Westpac New Zealand, Health Alliance NZ and Sovereign, as well as senior roles with ANZ Bank.

She is also currently a member of Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand and the Institute of Directors.

As an advocate for women in business, Ms Barrie is also a member of Global Women and previously a director and treasurer for Dress for Success in Auckland.

In March, Heartland Bank had announced the appointment of Kate Morrison as an independent director.

Ms Morrison brings to Heartland Bank 20 years of experience in investment banking in the UK, holding positions at Merrill Lynch, Goldman Sachs and Deutsche Bank.

She also co-runs a Christchurch-based consulting business, advising small businesses on succession planning, strategy and governance.

The retirement of former director of eight years Graham Kennedy was also announced in March. Prior to joining Heartland Bank’s board, Mr Kennedy was a director and chair of Canterbury Building Society, one of Heartland Bank’s predecessor entities.

In its half-year financial results presentation in February, Heartland reported generating $33.1 million in net profit after tax for the six months ending on 31 December 2018, up 6.5 per cent ($2 million) year-on-year.

[Related: Heartland restructure to aid Australian business]