Prospa's rapid growth

Small business lending specialist Prospa, has appointed two business development managers, including Resimac's former sales manager, to support its growing New Zealand operation.

Tuesday, May 21st 2019, 8:57AM

Huia Manuel and Daniel Vellekoop have been appointed as regional Business Development Managers. They will be responsible for developing new partnerships with advisers across the country, which will help deliver cashflow products and services that keep small business moving.

Manuel will focus on partner engagement in Auckland and the wider North Island, while Vellekoop will focus on Christchurch and the wider South Island.

Before joining Prospa, Manuel was Head of Sales at Resimac and she has more than 14 years experience in the financial sector in New Zealand and Australia.

She has also worked for BankSA for over a decade as a Business Development Manager for South Australia and the Northern Territory.

Vellekoop was previously a mortgage adviser with The Mortgage Lab and People Property Financiers Limited, where he was responsible for advising and assisting clients with their residential and commercial property loans. He brings expertise in business and small business banking, with more than six years working for leading banking institutions, ASB Bank, Bank of New Zealand and ANZ Bank.

“We’re thrilled to be expanding the Prospa team in New Zealand with such exceptional talent," Adrienne Church, General Manager of Prospa in New Zealand said. "Huia and Daniel’s collective experience in lending and fostering effective partnerships will help us deliver much needed funding to small business owners all over the country."

“Prospa is transforming the way small business owners access finance in New Zealand and there is a huge opportunity for advisers wanting to create new revenue streams and provide a more holistic service to their clients.

The company formally launched in New Zealand in March this year. It has already delivered more than $12.5 million in lending to New Zealand small businesses and recently joined the NZFSG panel.

Prospa announced an initial public offering last week and will list on the ASX on 11 June 2019. A significant portion of funds raised will go toward investing in new products and growing the New Zealand market.

Daniel Vellekoop