Roz Gunnion

Meet Roz Gunnion who has spent a significant part of her career in banking across London and Auckland. Armed with a wealth of experience and an undergraduate degree in Commerce and Administration, Roz now seeks to deepen her financial acumen through the Master of Applied Finance programme.

A smiling professional woman
Roz Gunnion

Key facts

Programme: Master of Applied Finance

Career: Director, Westpac Institutional Banking team

Member, Institute of Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand

Can you tell us about your role and responsibilities?

“As a Director in the Westpac Institutional Banking team, I lead critical sectors such as property, aged care and transport. My responsibilities involve developing and executing strategy to deliver optimum outcomes for both customers and the bank.

“One of the most inspiring things about the role is working together as a team, leveraging individual expertise for the betterment of strategy and customer outcomes.”

Why did you choose the MAppFin and the Business School?

“My main reason for choosing the MAppFin program was access to a technical financial toolkit across a broad range of finance topics relevant worldwide. While many concepts were familiar, the MAppFin allowed me time to gain a much greater in-depth understanding. In a working environment, there often isn’t the luxury of time for this level of analysis and learning.”

“The University of Auckland’s MAppFin programme stood out as the superior choice. The University is highly regarded for academic research and the significant subject knowledge of its lecturers.”

The MAppFin allowed me time to gain a much greater in-depth understanding. In a working environment, there often isn’t the luxury of time for this level of analysis and learning.

What did you enjoy or value most as a postgraduate student at UoA?

“The Sir Owen G Glenn Building offers a modern and highly desirable location for postgraduate business students. As a student, I have felt well supported by the MAppFin faculty, including lecturers and support staff.

“The BNZ trading room has been invaluable for insights into NZX-listed companies. Additionally, having a student subscription to Standard and Poor’s market data, provided by the University, has been a highlight.”

Advice from Roz

“Having a substantial career behind me has enabled me to approach topics we were studying with a basic level of understanding. This has allowed me to focus more on those areas where my knowledge was not as strong. I feel I have benefited a lot more from completing the MAppFin course as a mature student than I would have straight out of university, and I hope this will be an encouraging insight for other experienced students.”  

Since studying full-time, Roz has dedicated more time to pursuing her passion for golf and diligently working to improve her handicap.