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What is Advice Masters all about?
Advice masters is an intensive training and personalised professional development programme designed for experienced business owners in the financial services industry. Tailored for high-performing industry leaders, the programme aims to elevate your business to new heights through strategic development and coaching from industry experts.
Only 30 places are available in the programme, and participation is by invitation only. Please speak to your Business manager for more information, or express your interest here.
What can Advice masters offer me?
Advice masters offers a comprehensive curriculum tailored to your specific needs. Participants receive personalised programs delivered either one-on-one or in small groups by industry experts.
The programme encompasses a wide range of topics essential for business growth and success. This includes M&A, capital raising/funding strategies, high performance for business leaders, leading high performing teams, business strategy design and execution, governance, board craft, director skills, and sustainability, business efficiency, technology and AI.
Advice masters also gives members the opportunity to connect and share experiences with other business owners in their field, with group events comprising a portion of the year’s offerings.
Who are the facilitators?
Our programme is packed with insightful and relevant information presented by industry-leading facilitators. Learn more about our industry leaders and experts below:
Tony Dench
Tony Dench is a seasoned director with over a decade of governance expertise and a 30-year corporate background spanning accounting, property, banking, and financial services in New Zealand and abroad. Currently, he chairs and serves as an independent director for various privately owned companies in financial services and charitable sectors. With hands-on experience in risk management within heavily regulated industries, he notably served as CEO for one of New Zealand's largest financial adviser networks for five years.
Henry Lynch
Henry Lynch is a seasoned advisory and governance board chair, non-executive director, and former Financial Services CEO. His extensive portfolio includes leadership roles and advisory positions across various sectors such as health and safety, manufacturing, professional services, horticulture, and technology. Recognised as a Chartered Member of IoD and a Fellow of Governance New Zealand, Lynch offers invaluable insights to organisations aiming for growth, expansion and transformational change based on the strategic intent of thinking 'like a customer’, not 'about them’.
Steve Burgess
Steve is a longstanding compliance professional with upstanding integrity. With experience at the FMA, IIROC, and a prominent New Zealand financial services company, Burgess brings a wealth of knowledge from 7 years in both major banks and boutique firms in Canada. Overseeing more than 100 adviser businesses throughout his career, he prioritises the adviser-client relationship while ensuring positive client outcomes.
Henri Elliot
Henri Eliot is a leading governance advisor in New Zealand, serving as an active board member and Chair, with expertise in sustainability and ESG, backed by his Masters in Sustainability Leadership from the University of Cambridge. He has a global executive background with firms like JP Morgan, PwC, and Deloitte, and is a published author with two books on corporate governance featured in international university curricula.
Kimberly Symon
Kim is an Advisory Partner at BDO Christchurch, specializing in medium-sized enterprises. She works closely with owner-managed businesses to help them grow and achieve their goals by delivering practical solutions that improve financial processes and leverage technology for better decision-making.
Cameron Reed
Cam is a Senior Partner at BNZ, leading a team of Commercial Bankers in Canterbury. With nearly 15 years of experience in New Zealand and the UK, he specialises in financial planning and providing tailored finance solutions to help business owners navigate their financial landscape, supporting acquisitions, expansions, and property purchases to achieve their goals.
Jayne Atherton
Jayne is a Principal Consultant with Board Dynamics, specializing in board advisory, evaluation, and recruitment to drive business success through strong governance. With 20 years of experience as a business journalist and Senior Editor, she is a qualified Chartered Company Secretary who has supported international boards. Jayne also serves on the Executive Committee of Women on Boards, helping female directors advance in their governance careers.
Andrew Hill
Andrew is an Advisory Partner at BDO Takapuna, specializing in advising medium-sized, owner-managed businesses. He works closely with business owners and management teams to maximize profits, minimize risks, and improve financial performance through strategic planning, cash flow management, and financing solutions.
Tim Schuster
Tim is a Commercial Partner at BNZ, specializing in tailored finance solutions to support business aspirations, including acquisitions, expansions, and working capital needs. With over a decade of experience at BNZ, RBS in the UK, and as a Chartered Accountant, he helps businesses achieve their goals through strategic financial planning and execution.
Simon Curran
Simon is an experienced CEO and entrepreneur who, after a life-changing event, dedicated himself to helping others unlock their limitless potential. With over 20 years of expertise in creativity, innovation, and business transformation, Simon brings a passion for building high-performing teams and working with next-generation leaders, startups, and youth.
Matt Ensor
Matt is committed to accelerating the adoption of generative AI in New Zealand, serving as Chair of the AI Forum NZ’s Working Group on Large Language Models and Founder of FranklyAI. Matt pioneered the first Indigenous conversational AI for Pasifika and Aboriginal languages. Matt frequently speaks at conferences, live demoing the latest AI technologies, with a focus on AI ethics, strategic vision, and leadership.
Questions about this programme?
We are dedicated to ensuring that you get the most out of the programme, empowering you to achieve your business goals. If you have any questions, reach out to our friendly Adviser edge team at adviseredge@fidelitylife.co.nz or your Business manager.
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