Francis Fitzgerald, Partners Finance & Lease Ltd

Step up to the plate and hit us with your elevator pitch. What does Partners Finance & Lease do?

We provide finance for business when they want to buy assets such as diggers, dozers, trucks, and forklifts. I started Partners Finance & Lease in 2003 after seven years working in finance. Our head office is here in Christchurch with an office in Auckland. We’ve customers right across New Zealand from large corporates to one man digger operators.

Our staff are the key to our success. We look for people who’ve the right fit, so we’ve people with a wide range of experience from diverse backgrounds. We encourage staff wellbeing and have entered several events like the City to Surf and running challenges.

Why have you decided to do Bayleys Plate up for a Purpose this year?

It sounded like a fun way to raise money for a great cause that I didn’t know much about. And the Mission team asked me personally to join, so how could I say no.

Who’s your chef hero and why?

My Chef hero is the Swedish Chef from the Muppets – no explanation needed, surely.

What’s your signature dish?

My signature dish is Christmas pudding. It’s the most forgiving recipe known to man as you can leave almost anything out or add almost anything in, and still get a cracking result.