Credit Professional of the Year Awards

The winners of the New Zealand Credit and Finance Institute's Credit Professional of the Year Awards were announced at the NZCFI's annual award ceremony held in Auckland at The Wharf in Northcote on 17 April 2008. The presentations were made by John Key MP, Leader of the Opposition.

The awards, sponsored by Kensington Swan, honour the best in the Credit and Finance Industry in New Zealand. NZCFI President David Young said the high calibre of this year's finalists made the judges job extremely difficult but confirmed that the high standard of professionalism in the industry is thriving.

Taking out the supreme award, 2007 New Zealand Credit Professional of the Year, was Michael Wright from Express Couriers Ltd in Auckland. Michael joined Express Couriers in October 2006, immediately prior to this position he had been employed by Vodafone.

David Young paid tribute to the winner saying, " The award is a public acknowledgment of the depth of Michael's knowledge and experience in the Credit and Finance Industry and of the huge contribution he has made as Credit and Billing Services Manager at Express Couriers."

Emma Wells from Farmers Mutual Finance Ltd in Palmerston North was named 2007 Young Credit Professional of the Year. Emma, who has only been working in the credit finance industry for just under two years, impressed the judges with her ability to absorb the complexities of the industry in such a short space of time.

The winner of the Peter Win Memorial Scholarship was Shari Roberts the Senior Credit Controller at Wattle Paints in Auckland. The $1,500 scholarship will go towards study for the National Certificate in Credit Management.

The Credit Professional of the Year receives a 5-day return trip for two to Melbourne to attend the Australian Institute of Credit Management '08 National Conference plus  $1,000.00 spending money. The NZCFI Young Credit Professional of the Year receives a $1000 educational grant to complete Level 3 & 4 of the National Certificate in Credit and  $1,000.00 cash prize to be used for any educational needs the winner has. 

The NZCFI is the country's only official association of professional credit managers and aims to contribute to a healthy economy by providing training opportunities and support for members.

Our Judges for this year were: David Young, National Presiodent of the New Zealand Credit & Finance Institute; Bret Gustafson from Kensington Swan and Grant Aislabie, Lawyer and former Chief Disputes Tribunal Referee.

Nominations for the 2008 awards will open in October 2008

Photos of winners from previous years can be viewed by members of the Institute.