Faan Basson

Executive MBA-qualified commercial finance and business management professional with 20 years of experience spanning multi-entity P&L ownership, investment portfolio management, rural and commercial banking, financial analysis, and strategic business partnering. Proven track record managing assets exceeding USD 220M, leading credit and risk frameworks across complex multi-jurisdictional environments. Adept at working across organisations, partnering with senior leadership and boards, and delivering performance improvement through rigorous financial governance and commercial acumen.

Interim General Manager at RSG New Zealand (2025-12 – 2026-03)

New Zealand’s largest animal reproduction services business

• Full accountability for financial performance, operational delivery, and strategic direction across all business units
• Annual budgets and long-term financial plans, managing pricing strategies to balance competitiveness with margin targets
• Oversaw joint venture partnerships and identified new commercial opportunities and strategic partnerships in domestic and international markets
• Led governance and risk management across the organisation, ensuring adherence to statutory frameworks
• Ensured effective cross-departmental collaboration and managed key account relationships and commercial contract negotiations

Bank Manager at Bendigo Bank (Rural Bank) (2025-09 – 2025-12)

Australia’s 4th largest agribusiness lender

• Conducted end-to-end review of the credit approval process, identifying three key bottlenecks in documentation, risk scoring, and cash-flow assessment.
• Streamlined the credit evaluation framework, incorporating sector-specific risk factors, reducing average approval turnaround by 35%
• Collaborated with credit and risk teams to develop an automated scoring model, cutting manual review hours by 28%
• Performed stress-testing and scenario analysis across 150+ loan files, reducing projected default rates by 18% while maintaining portfolio growth targets

Senior Business Manager & Equity Partnership Manager at Townshend Group (2022-08 – 2025-09)

Private equity firm specialising in agricultural business ventures, NZ

• Held full business management and financial accountability across 26 entities with USD 220M in assets under management
• Led group financial benchmarking, portfolio performance reporting, and growth strategy development across all entities
• Negotiated and maintained banking relationships with the Big Four banks in New Zealand, securing favourable terms and covenant structures
• Chaired two business entities and served as a board member across all group companies, providing strategic financial oversight and governance
• Established and maintained relationships with 60+ shareholders, aligning personal and business goals with bespoke financial plans
• Achieved 15% portfolio growth within the first 16 months through disciplined financial management and strategic reinvestment
• Oversaw all regulatory and compliance obligations across twenty independent entities, achieving a 100% internal audit pass rate

Relationship Bank Manager at ANZ Bank (2019-10 – 2022-07)

Top four bank

• Managed a portfolio of high-net-worth clients with complex, multi-faceted accounts requiring bespoke financial structuring
• Analysed cash flow forecasts, financial statements, and capital requirements to support lending and investment decisions
• Conducted financial and operational risk assessments, reporting findings and recommendations to executive leadership
• Developed and implemented sales and growth strategies, achieving agreed financial objectives through disciplined customer acquisition and retention
• Proactively identified and resolved liquidity risks, negotiating terms and conditions to protect both client and bank interests
• Streamlined the credit application model, improving approval efficiency and consistency across the portfolio (ANZ Credit Delivery Project, 2021)

Head of New Business Development at Vodafone / Mezzanine Ware (2017-04 – 2019-06)

Digital technology company, NZ

• Led commercial strategy and business development, securing a significant Vodafone investment to advance agricultural technology solutions
• Developed business cases and financial models for cloud-based technology adoption across commercial client segments
• Provided strategic direction to the executive committee on M&A road mapping and digital partnership opportunities
• Managed project budgets, commercial reporting, and executive presentations for board-level stakeholders
• Led the business development team through the Mezzanine Ware and Agri Technovation merger (2017–2019)

Operations & Commercial Manager at Oakland Dairies (2016-03 – 2017-03)

Major food processing and distribution business

• Managed full P&L for a $25M revenue business with 35 permanent staff, delivering $7M revenue growth within twelve months
• Implemented operational and commercial process improvements that increased annual revenue from $18M to $25M
• Managed sales, budgets, and commercial relationships across multiple product lines and retail channels
• Led a company merger (Oakland Dairies and Bon Mella Dairy) and oversaw a boutique yoghurt and cheese factory startup

Regional Account Manager at Boehringer Ingelheim (2009-01 – 2011-08)

Global pharmaceutical and animal health group

• Managed the company’s largest distributor and wholesaler account in Africa with a $100K budget
• Built and maintained key commercial relationships, driving sales performance and market share

Executive MBA in Thesis: Credit Decision-Making Process | Elective: Financing, Capital Budgeting & Investments – Massey University

Agricultural Diploma – University of Stellenbosch