Meet the team.
Meet the team.
The Midlands Team
Rhys Trusler
Chief Executive Officer
Rhys brings a wealth of experience across the I.T., FMCG, business advisory, and finance sectors, with a diverse background in sales, technical, operational, and management
roles. Having worked in everything from small local businesses through to large global corporates Rhys found his preference to be where customers were treated as people (not numbers) and where company profits stayed within New Zealand. Originally from Taranaki (New Plymouth) Rhys most recently lived in Auckland with his wife and two daughters (6 & 3) where he held a Managing Partner role in a property finance company. He and his wife made the move to Hawkes Bay to give their girls a ‘kiwi upbringing’ and to allow them to get back to nature.
E: rhys@mmt.net.nz
T: 06 870 3260
M: 022 580 1709
Sandy Gernhoefer
Relationship Manager
Your first point of call at Midlands, Sandy has decades of banking and investment experience. She left the big bankie stuff behind for the clever and down to earth approach Midlands is known for.
“I love helping people through the investment process and seeing the big grins on their faces as their wealth grows.”
E: sandy@mmt.net.nz
T: 06 870 3260
M: 027 624 4554
Christie Campbell
Head of Marketing & Investments
Christie’s path to Midlands Funds Management and the Finance Industry has been somewhat unconventional. Christie’s formative career was spent in corporate Sales & Marketing roles, in FMCG (food businesses), financial services, wine and retail industries in New Zealand and the UK. Christie then started up her own food business, which she ran for 10 years and eventually sold to Little Island Creamery.
During her business ownership, Christie took on the role of managing the business accounting and finances, which sparked an ongoing interest and passion in finance and investing and led to her to being bestowed with the title of ‘Self Taught CFO’ (Chief Financial Officer). Christie believes that if she can learn and navigate the world of finance and investing then anyone can. This is why she’s on a mission to improve the financial future of everyday New Zealanders by making the financial world less confusing and more accessible and engaging.
E:
T: 06 870 3260
M:
Miles Standeaven
Head of Credit
Miles is the Senior Credit Manager for Midlands and a member of the Investment Committee. Miles has 15 years’ experience in the banking and finance industry.
Prior to Midlands, Miles was a Senior Corporate Analyst at Westpac. He has experience across corporate finance, lending, credit, banking specializing in property finance and cash flow lending.
Miles holds a Bachelor of Science from the University of Auckland. He is a member of Economic Development New Zealand.
Amber Way
Compliance Lead
Amber’s career has always been about upholding the highest industry standards. During her nine years at ANZ Bank, she developed a robust background in financial management, financial reporting, and performance monitoring.
Amber has extensive international experience, having previously worked in the Middle East and the UK. She excels at creating an inclusive and collaborative environment, drawing from diverse cultural insights. Her hands-on approach focuses on mitigating risks, improving processes, and ensuring integrity in all her work. Amber’s goal is to meet all regulatory requirements and support the organisations long-term success by fostering a culture of compliance and ethical behaviour.
E: amber@mmt.net.nz
T: 06 870 3260
DDI: 06 974 6651
Andrew Sanders
Business Development Manager
Andrew has over 25 years’ experience in the banking and finance industry. He has a background in residential and business lending having held relationship and management roles with ASB and Westpac.
Andrew holds a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Auckland.
Mark Hardman
Business Development Manager
Mark has 35 years’ experience in the financial services industry with a strong background in banking, specifically mortgages and asset finance, having held senior positions with Westpac & BNZ and internationally with the Provident Financial Group. More recently he has managed his own fund and has been involved with the local community, promoting financial literacy.
Mark has a postgraduate diploma in Management & Business.
Wendy Babe
Loans Analyst
Wendy is responsible for analysing loan proposals, monitoring and reporting on loans and supervising loan administration.
Wendy has a background in commercial property finance and retail banking in New Zealand and overseas.
Jenna Spooner
Loans Analyst
Jenna is responsible for analysing loan proposals, monitoring and reporting on loans, and providing loan administration.
Jenna comes from a rural background and has a Bachelor of Accountancy from Massey University.
Ania Jamula
Loans Analyst
The Board
John Rae
Independent Director and Board Chair
John combines professional qualifications and disciplines together with wide management and directorial experience and joins the Midlands Board as an independent director bringing a wealth of legal and finance experience gained across Banking & Technology, Investment & Capital raising right through to Infrastructure and the all important primary sector. He is passionate about sustainable growth and building high performing teams to achieve the strategic vision of a company and has experience as a Director in NZ, Australia and UK including as a Bank of England approved Executive Director of a United Kingdom bank. He loves a challenge and has extensive experience (and interest) in dealing with difficult transitional environments. Outside of his various directorships, John is a keen fisherman.
Dinah Kennedy
Director
A former partner in a leading Hastings legal firm and more recently a consultant lawyer, Dinah brings experience in lending to the Board. Dinah is an appointee to the Audit, Risk and Compliance Committee. Dinah has extensive experience in the compliance requirements of the financial sector and is a member of the Institute of Directors.
Marise James
Independent Director
Marise brings a wealth of experience to our Audit, Risk and Compliance Committee. She is a chartered accountant and a partner at Baker Tilly Staples Rodway in Taranaki. Marise has extensive board experience including being one of the founding directors of Fonterra, and directorships for FMG Insurance Limited, Landcorp Farming Limited and TSB Bank. She is a Fellow of the Institute of Directors and CAANZ.
Audit, Risk & Compliance Committee
John Rae
Independent Director and Board Chair, ARACC
John combines professional qualifications and disciplines together with wide management and directorial experience and joins the Midlands Board as an independent director bringing a wealth of legal and finance experience gained across Banking & Technology, Investment & Capital raising right through to Infrastructure and the all important primary sector. He is passionate about sustainable growth and building high performing teams to achieve the strategic vision of a company and has experience as a Director in NZ, Australia and UK including as a Bank of England approved Executive Director of a United Kingdom bank. He loves a challenge and has extensive experience (and interest) in dealing with difficult transitional environments. Outside of his various directorships, John is a keen fisherman.
Marise James
ARACC Chair
Marise brings a wealth of experience to our Audit, Risk and Compliance Committee. She is a chartered accountant and a partner at Baker Tilly Staples Rodway in Taranaki. Marise has extensive board experience including being one of the founding directors of Fonterra, and directorships for FMG Insurance Limited, Landcorp Farming Limited and TSB Bank. She is a Fellow of the Institute of Directors and CAANZ.
Dinah Kennedy
ARACC
A former partner in a leading Hastings legal firm and more recently a consultant lawyer, Dinah brings experience in lending to the Board. Dinah is an appointee to the Audit, Risk and Compliance Committee. Dinah has extensive experience in the compliance requirements of the financial sector and is a member of the Institute of Directors.
Here’s how you can get in touch with us:
Give us a call
General Enquiries:
0800 870 326
Investment Team: 06 870 3260
Loans Team: 06 974 6655
Sandy: 027 624 4554
Email Us
Investments Team:
investments@midlands.net.nz
Loans Team:
loans@midlands.net.nz
visit us
No appointment necessary
1/111 Karamu Road North
PO Box 609
Hastings, New Zealand
(normal business hours)