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For me, it has always been about value—creating it, delivering it, and living by it. The opportunity to be my best self and provide genuine value to my clients is what drives me professionally. I’ve long believed in being on the value side of the equation, where the focus is not just on transactions but on meaningful impact. This belief has shaped my approach to enable clients to grow and thrive.
However, delivering value isn’t always straightforward. During my time working at a bank, I found this especially challenging. Banks excel at their core function—lending money whilst minimising risk, but the process of putting a deal together often felt like a complex dance happening behind the scenes. By the time a deal reached the bank, the real work—the strategic thinking, the relationship-building, the breakthrough moments—had already happened. I was there, but only on the sidelines, watching the value unfold without being able to fully contribute to it.
This experience taught me that true value delivery requires more than just being present—it demands active involvement, commercial insight, and the freedom to help shape outcomes. It’s about being part of the solution, not just an observer once the heavy lifting is done. That’s why I’ve sought roles and environments where I can engage deeply with clients, understand their needs, and co-create solutions that make a real difference.
As bankers, we used to be able to roll up our sleeves and work alongside farmers—not just on the numbers, but on the strategy. We were close to the business, involved in the big decisions, and often played a quiet but critical role in helping farming families move forward. But over time, that changed. Compliance, regulation, and mounting internal workloads meant we had to step back. The job became more about managing risk than enabling progress. And as that gap grew, so did my desire to get back to the part of the work I truly loved—being a hands-on partner in the growth of great businesses.
Ultimately, value is not just a concept—it’s a commitment over time. It’s the promise to show up, to contribute meaningfully, and to do it time and time again. It’s the belief that when we bring our best selves to the table, we unlock the potential to create something truly impactful with the families that we work with.
I saw NZAB in action, and I knew I wanted to be part of it.
When looking for like-minded organisations, NZAB stood out. Value wasn’t just a concept—it was being delivered, consistently and tangibly. I saw alignment not only in philosophy but in action.
NZAB was out there, making a real difference for clients. Joining the team meant stepping into a space where meaningful impact is the norm, not the exception. It’s about being present with purpose, contributing fully, and being part of something that genuinely transforms client outcomes.
That transformation was something I saw firsthand, before I joined. I was still at the bank when a family farming client of mine—owners of a well-located mid scale dairy farm—were facing pressure. Their debt levels were high, the bank (us) was pushing hard for a restructure, and the prospect of selling part or all of the farm was on the table. The family was under stress. Emotions were high, and decision-making had ground to a halt.
Then NZAB got involved.
From the moment they engaged, the energy changed. NZAB didn’t just support the client—they shifted the dynamics entirely. Within weeks, the bank reduced its margin, unlocking annual savings of $50,000 to $75,000 and giving the family breathing room. Instead of talking about selling the farm, they actually made a strategic choice to expand—purchasing neighbouring land which unlocked a value change enabling the sale of a high value lifestyle block without affecting farm operations. The parents were finally able to build a new home on the farm, and the bank (myself included) moved from pressure to alignment, backing the family’s long-term strategy.
Most importantly, the family stepped back into leadership of their farming business—with NZAB alongside to help the business both strategically and day-to-day. Watching this unfold from the bank side, it was impossible not to see where the real value was coming from.
That case wasn’t an outlier. It was a masterclass in what’s possible when you combine financial acumen with deep, strategic partnership. It was the moment I knew I didn’t want to keep watching from the sidelines -I wanted to be part of that.
So, I joined NZAB.
If this resonates and you’d like to talk more, feel free to give me a ring on 021 447 054 or drop me an email—always happy to connect.
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