ANZ Boosts Its Partnership with Business Mentors New Zealand

Media Release

17th December 2012

ANZ Boosts Its Partnership with Business Mentors New Zealand

ANZ Bank has become a Partner Patron sponsor of Business Mentors New Zealand (BMNZ), the not for profit organisation which provides a national business mentoring service to support the development and growth of New Zealand’s small to medium sized enterprises.

Prior to the recent merger of ANZ and the National Bank, both organisations were National Patrons of Business Mentors. The combined organisation has significantly increased its financial support, exceeding the amount given by the separate brands, and has boosted its commitment to that of a Partner Patron.

Fred Ohlsson, Managing Director ANZ Business Banking comments: `This is an integral part of our support for SMEs in New Zealand. According to ANZ’s latest Business Micro Scope survey of small businesses they are finding the going harder than their larger counterparts. Low turnover continues to be the biggest challenge small businesses face, with many also citing increasing costs, economic uncertainty and a lack of skilled staff as significant issues. In times like these it’s more important than ever that small firms get the expert support and advice they need to manage their businesses.’

Ray Schofield, CEO of Business Mentors New Zealand welcomes ANZ’s decision to increase its support for the SME sector through the volunteer mentoring programme.

He says: ‘ANZ and the National Bank have been supporters since the very beginning and it is heartening to see the bank boost its involvement with us to the very highest level. Business Mentors New Zealand is a non-profit organisation, which is largely funded by patrons from the private sector. Without the support of our sponsors, such as ANZ, we would not be able to keep providing our free mentoring service to companies across New Zealand.’

Business Mentors provides access to 1,900 volunteer mentors (who provide their experience, skill and knowledge free of charge), and the focus is on developing capability, profitability, and employment generation. Since the organisation was established in 1991, Business Mentors has assisted over 60,000 small to medium businesses. It is funded largely by patrons from the private sector, with additional support from New Zealand Trade and Enterprise.

For more information on Business Mentors New Zealand, visit www.businessmentors.org.nz

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