The Team

Chris Barry

Chief Executive Officer

Chris has nearly 30 years mortgage origination and administration experience with a number of financial institutions in the NZ market.

Chris says, "Whilst in recent years we have experienced significant change to the way in which mortgages are processed, technology will be the enabler of even greater change in the years ahead. Lenders are under increasing pressure from shareholders and customers alike to deliver increased efficiency and productivity. Some of these solutions will continue to be developed by the Lender with a view to providing them with a distinct and sustainable competitive advantage, and this is the way it should be. However, there is increasing evidence to support the belief that many lenders, including the major banks, are recognising the value add that an innovative and service focused outsource partner can bring to their business and to the industry at large. The FMS team is passionate about being this partner".

Craig Carter

Chief Information Officer

Formerly a Naval Officer, Craig was awarded the Chief of Naval Staff's Commendation for developing information systems for the military. Craig holds a Master of Information Science and has presented papers to a variety of academic and business audiences as well as lecturing on the application of the Internet to business. Joining First Mortgage Services in 2004 Craig heads up the Information Technology Division.

Craig has an interest in the use of technology to improve quality of life and somewhat paradoxically he also enjoys the sport of ocean free-diving unaided by breathing apparatus.

Donna Handley

Legal and Compliance Manager

Donna was admitted in June 1996 as a Fellow of the Institute of Legal Executives (UK) and formerly practised as a Personal Injury Lawyer and Manager for a large law firm in England.

Donna joined FMS in 2003 after relocating to New Zealand and is now responsible for developing and implementing FMS’ risk management program. After working in operational management for 10 years, Donna has a particular interest in identifying system enhancements for process improvement to ensure the maximization of efficiency and productivity. In her spare time Donna enjoys hiking with her family throughout New Zealand’s many beautiful regional parks.

Bruce Walker

General Manager Operations Australia

Bruce Walker has over 20 years experience in Banking & Finance and joined the First American Group in 2002. Bruce is responsible for the day to day running of our Australian Operations which encompasses reverse mortgage transactions and traditional mortgage transactions for major banks and some of Australia’s largest wholesale funders.

For 7 years Bruce was based in First Americans’ Sydney office and in early 2008 moved to FMS’s Melbourne office. Starting his career with Westpac, Bruce has also worked as a finance and investment Manager and held key roles in GE Capital. Before joining First American Bruce was GE’s Six Sigma Black Belt for mortgages.

Alistair Wilson

General Manager, propel-lc

30 years of banking, business analysis and project management have positioned Alistair to manage propel-lc to successfully provide value to all lenders, lawyers and their customers.

He enjoys the challenge of taking new technologies and implementing them to maximize efficiency & simplicity of use.

The key to implementing an Industry Wide Solution is two way communication with all stakeholders during design and valuing system stability, integrity and security as much as the people that rely on the technology to serve their customers.

Corinne Van der Burgh

Operations Manager NZ

Corinne, a qualified teacher and bookkeeper, spent 15 years working in South Africa in various management roles. Corinne immigrated to New Zealand in 2001 and has found her niche in managing teams and building outstanding customer relationships.

Corinne has received numerous customer service awards and facilitated numerous “values” workshops and is passionate about exceeding customer’s expectations.