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Mortgage Express gets a new, familiar, boss

Mortgage Express has appointed a new chief executive after the departure of David Gopperth.

Mortgage Express has appointed Sarah Johnston as its new CEO.

She succeeds a noted identity in the property business, the former general manager, David Gopperth, affectionately known as Goppy.                                                 

He switched from a long spell in bank lending and mortgage advice to going into business for himself with a leasing and renting property firm in Christchurch.

Mortgage Express operates under a FAP licence held by Astute Financial. It is owned by the real estate firm Harcourts.

“Sarah Johnston is the perfect choice for our Mortgage Express leadership role,” said a senior Harcourts executive, Jo Clifford.

“Her strong, long-term relationships with lenders reassures both advisers and our clients that she connects with and understands the mortgage industry.”

Johnston earlier worked for 18 years at Mortgage Express, and most recently was CEO at Astute.

She retains that role and the appointment to Mortgage Express effectively combines the control of both organisations under one set of hands.

“My role at Astute hasn’t changed. If anything, it complements the role I’ll be taking on at Mortgage Express,” said Johnston.

The change is accompanied by a renewed focus on adviser wellbeing as a top priority for Sarah.

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