Award nominees
Every year we get to recognise those special advisers who have stood out as deserving individuals or teams.
Our 5 awards highlight different areas of the business ranging from up-and-coming advisers through to our Lifetime award.
We look forward to celebrating them at Engage and highlighting their contributions and great qualities that make them special in our eyes.
Advice professional of the future award.
Awarded to an up-and-coming adviser (less than 10-years’ industry experience), committed to ongoing education, industry involvement and finding ways to innovate to build a modern financial advice business.
Cary Veenhof award.
In honour of a former Fidelity Life Business Manager who was cherished by many, this award is given to an adviser who demonstrates strong values, shows respect to insurance partners, and consistently delivers outstanding customer service.
Team of the year award.
Awarded to an advice business with an outstanding strategy, brand and strong leadership team, driving excellent advice solutions.
In addition, two highly coveted awards will also be presented to hand-picked winners:
Lifetime award.
This award recognises a long-standing adviser (more than 20-years’ experience) who has shown a strong commitment and dedication in giving back to the industry, and celebrates the impact they have made over the course of their distinguished career.
Gordon Watson award.
Named after Fidelity Life’s founder, this award is presented to an adviser who champions Fidelity Life’s customer led values, demonstrates remarkable achievements in driving business success, and showcases significant professional and personal growth with a commitment to improving themselves and those around them.
We are pleased to announce that this year’s award nominees are:
Anthony Gobbie
Insurance Design
Anthony has been in this industry for over 25 years and has genuinely seen it grow to focus better on clients’ needs, something he has continuously been at the forefront of. This was acknowledged when he was awarded the prestigious Carey Vernhoff award.
You can expect a high level of competency and understanding of how insurance policies work and how to best structure them to protect who is important to you. That’s what sets him apart – his genuine care and attention to his clients.
You will see him working late and taking calls on the weekend to keep his customers' peace of mind at the forefront. He prides himself on building long-term relationships with his clients, catching up each year to ensure their insurance plan is relevant and his customers feel well looked after.
Ben Sharplin
Insurance Design
After 2 decades as a secondary school teacher, Ben has been back in the corporate world as an adviser for just over 12-months. Working with the team at Insurance Design has been an incredible experience for him.
He has been able to meet people where they’re at, and offer them solutions to give them peace of mind, which he finds highly motivating. He’s married to the wonderful Melanie, and they have 2 teenage children. His alter ego is a musician gigging on the weekends at weddings and corporate events.
We can attest to his talent too, thanks to a fantastic custom song that he and Anthony performed for us recently.
Ben Gladwell
Finlife
Since beginning his career as a financial adviser in 2021, Ben has distinguished himself through compassion, knowledge, and a client-centric approach. Known for his calm demeanour and exceptional listening, he provides clients with comprehensive advice, emphasising the importance of long-term strategies. This is reflected in 6 perfect NPS scores and top adviser recognition in our recent Customer engagement initiative.
Ben lives in Red Beach on the North Shore of Auckland with his lovely wife, Julia, and they are blessed with 2 very busy young boys. Julia is a superstar stay-at-home mum and a huge help in Ben's business. He started in financial services in 2020 after roles in the marine industry, including offshore races like the Auckland to Fiji, Sydney to Hobart, and Britain’s Fastnet Classic.
He self-professes he isn’t capable of functioning without a physical challenge, so after stepping back from offshore sailing when his oldest boy arrived, he took up long-distance triathlon. Outside of that, he does other endurance events to help raise money for a charity supporting children who have attempted suicide. He’s looking forward to expanding his involvement later this year to include regular volunteer hours.
Brett Pearce
Pearce Financial Services
Brett is somewhat of a legend, with over 45 years in the industry. His father, grandfather and uncle were all in the industry, so it was no surprise Brett would follow.
Brett works with Luke, Jan-Louise, Laurie (his wife), and Amanda (his daughter). His daughter Amanda is also married to an insurance adviser (Johny Winstone), so it remains a family affair. Brett has been a 5-time winner of the Gordon Watson award.
When not working and spending time with family, you’ll find Brett at the gym, where he boxes almost daily, or enjoying anything with an engine. A self-proclaimed ‘petrol head,’ he has a collection of American cars and motorbikes, and races a 1968 yellow Holden Monaro in New Zealand’s historic muscle car series.
Grant Maddison
Maddison Financial Services Ltd
Grant is a well-known and respected adviser nationwide, with over 30 years in insurance. Born and raised in Invercargill, he was educated at Southland Boys School and has built a reputation as one of Queenstown’s most trusted financial advisers.
He works with a wide range of clients, including tradies starting out and high-net-worth families. He specialises in rural sectors, SMEs and families across Queenstown, Central Otago and Southland.
Grant lives in Queenstown with his partner, enjoying travel, golf, soccer and a busy social calendar. He’s also a mentor to many advisers and a member of Financial Advice New Zealand.
Josh Cuttance
SHARE NZ
With 6 years in financial advice, Josh is well-known on social media and industry-wide for his expertise. He serves as a member of our Adviser Council and the Financial Advice Risk Committee.
Josh is passionate about supporting his clients through challenges and providing impactful advice. A busy dad of 2, he still finds time for golf when not creating content.
You’ll learn more about Josh at the Adviser Council session on the first morning, including some fun facts that might surprise you.
Nick Wells
Amicus Group Ltd
Amicus has built a strong reputation over 30 years in Canterbury for supporting and mentoring new advisers. Nick joined Amicus in 2012 and specializes in strategic risk advice for Rural, Commercial, and SME sectors.
Nick also tailors corporate insurance packages and employee benefits for businesses. He’s committed to ensuring his clients achieve the best possible outcomes based on their needs.
Outside of work, Nick enjoys traveling and spending time with family.
Nicola Jenkins
Total Life
Nicola is a new adviser, bringing a fresh approach while devoted to helping clients access financial advice that aligns with their goals. A busy mother of 4, including twins, she volunteers as the Secretary and Grants Coordinator of the Southland Multiple Birth Club.
Nicola is proud of her Maori heritage, with iwi affiliations to Ngati Kahungunu and Ngaruahine.
Shane Gadsdon
Discovery Financial Services Ltd
Shane joined his father at Discovery Financial Services in 2012, specialising in personal and business insurance. He also works with his brother, mother, and friend Brad.
At 28, he became the youngest recipient of the Gordon Watson award. He is married to Jess, a former NZ Rugby referee and physiotherapist, and they have a daughter, Ava.
Shane participated in our inaugural Advice masters programme this year (part of our Adviser edge initiative), which he found hugely beneficial.
Matthew Beattie
Financial Independence
Matthew and his team are proud finalists for the Team of the year award. With industry experience since 1997, he is a systematic, thorough adviser who keeps his education current.
Matthew’s advice style is robust, aiming to ensure clients have coverage that lasts a lifetime. He is a family man, training for the Tour de France and cycling around Tauranga.
Matthew won’t be able to attend Engage, but several of his team members will be there to represent Financial Independence.
Tara Nel
The Insurance Pad
Tara brings advanced Financial Planner qualifications from the UK and 28 years of New Zealand experience. She began her career in Edinburgh, later moving to New Zealand to work in banking and insurance leadership roles.
Tara’s commitment to clients is clear, with an NPS score of 80 in our Customer engagement initiative 2024. Outside of work, she leads a busy life with family, runs a psychotherapy practice, and works 2-days weekly helping young people who’ve experienced trauma.