MTF Finance was founded as a co-operative, and that same spirit lives on in how we govern today.
Our Board of Directors represent the interests of our shareholders and other stakeholders. They provide independent and experienced guidance, and are responsible for setting the course of our overall direction.
We are committed to driving a culture that values diverse thinking and inclusion. This approach enables discussion and sharing of ideas that help us create a stronger business.
Stephen Higgs
Chairman & independent director
BCom, FCA
Appointed 2006
Stephen is a managing partner at Polson Higgs, Chartered Accountants.
He is Chairman of Mt Difficulty Wines, Polson Higgs Wealth Management, Immune Solutions, and South Link Health. He’s a director of CRT, Cumberland Property Group, Cumberland Rural Properties, Polson Higgs Administration and various other Polson Higgs companies, Incompass, Otago Innovation, MTF Securities, MTFS Holdings, MTF Leasing, MTF Direct, MTF Treasury and MTF Finance.
Stephen is a councillor on the University of Otago Council and two Otago Federated Farmers Trusts.
Scott Creahan
Independent director
BCom (Hons)
Appointed 2013
Scott has a background in corporate and institutional banking, with a specific focus on the corporate finance and structured finance sectors. He worked with Westpac for 16 years, culminating in six years as the head of the Westpac Institutional Bank Securitisation team.
Scott is a director of MTF Securities, MTF Direct, MTF Treasury, MTF Leasing, MTFS Holdings, Dr Maria Pearse Associates and South Head Capital.
Geoffrey Kenny
Shareholder director
Appointed 2011
Geoff has been a shareholder of MTF Finance since 1994.
He started as a motor vehicle dealer in Rotorua, and now owns an MTF Finance franchise, Geoff Kenny Limited, in Lower Hutt.
Stu Myles
Shareholder director
Appointed 2020
Stu has been a shareholder of MTF Finance since 2008 and has over 30 years experience in the finance and motor industries.
He started with MTF Finance as a franchise owner in Christchurch, Myles and Fairhall Limited.
Stu has been a director of the Nova Trust since 2011 and is a member of the Institute of Directors.
Noel Johnston
Shareholder director
Appointed 2019
Noel has been a shareholder of MTF Finance since 1985.
He started as a motor vehicle dealer in Dunedin and is now a director of three MTF Finance franchises: Noel Johnston Limited, Johnston Hall Limited and Johnston Bentley Limited, based in Dunedin, Invercargill and Central Otago respectively.
Grant Woolford
Shareholder director
Appointed 2018
Grant has been in the motorcycle industry for over 25 years.
He’s been involved with MTF Finance through Cyclespot Group, New Zealand’s largest retail motorcycle company.
Grant has been Managing Director of Cyclespot Group since 2000.
Shareholder Director nomination
Nominations to the MTF Finance board can be made by any shareholder qualified to attend and vote at the AGM. Nominations must be signed by the shareholder and contain written confirmation by the nominee of their willingness to be elected.
To be nominated as a director, a candidate must be a shareholder originator of MTF Finance, in accordance with the Company’s constitution.