Skilton has taken on the top job after Travaglia left NZHL earlier this month to become general manager of Public Trust, the New Zealand government appointed trustee services organisation.

Travaglia’s departure came after nearly three years at the helm of NZHL, the Kiwibank-owned financial advisory network. The experienced Travaglia previously worked for US insurance giant AIG.

It is unclear whether Skilton’s appointment has been made on a temporary or permanent basis. New Zealand Home Loans was unavailable for comment. Marketing manager Todd Stephenson also recently left the business, an industry source said.

The changes come midway through NZHL’s plans to achieve a loan book of $10bn, a goal set in 2015 by chairman Neil Richardson. NZHL’s places roughly 30% of its business through Kiwibank after its sale to the government-backed lender in 2012.

NZHL has over 79 franchises across New Zealand with over 220 employees. The business has lent $5.5bn to 19,580 clients, according to its website.

Skilton joined New Zealand Home Loans in May 2015 as Chief Strategy Officer. Between April 2016 and February 2017, Skilton held the role of Chief Operating Officer. He became Chief Distribution Officer at NZHL’s Hamilton head office in May last year.

Prior to joining NZHL, Skilton was chief executive at financial services business Greenstone Inc. Before that he held the role of associate director at financial services company Marsh, where he was responsible for the Marsh Mercer Benefits business.

Skilton graduated from Massey University, according to his Linkedin profile.