Fidelity Life celebrates Adviser award winners at Engage 2024.

Media release.

8 November 2024.

Fidelity Life is celebrating the winners of its coveted Adviser awards, presented during the finale of Engage 2024 – Growth for good, the life insurer’s annual conference for financial advisers which took place on 6-7 November in Auckland.

These incredible individuals and teams have demonstrated exceptional dedication, innovation and commitment to their work in delivering great outcomes for New Zealanders.

The winners:

Professional of the future award: Josh Cuttance – SHARE NZ (Dunedin).

Celebrates an up and coming adviser who is building an innovative, modern financial advice business of the future. It recognises an adviser with a strong business strategy, an unwavering commitment to amazing customer experiences, and someone who demonstrates ongoing professional development and involvement in enhancing the industry.

Josh has leveraged social media as a powerful tool to connect, engage, and elevate his professional presence. As well as being a member of Fidelity Life’s Adviser council, he contributes to the wider industry via groups like Financial Advice New Zealand. Balancing the roles of business owner, adviser and father he demonstrates resilience and ambition, recently expanding his team with a new administrative member.

Cary Veenhof award: Andrea Reid – Aliya Insurance Brokers (Waikato).

Named in honour of one of Fidelity Life’s former Business managers who was a valuable partner to many advisers and cherished by our team. This award recognises the strong values, customer centric approach and respectful demeanour Cary had in all his interactions and is awarded to an adviser who mirrors those same exceptional qualities.

Andrea has over 25 years of industry experience and now leads her own FAP and has dedicated her career to supporting New Zealanders. With a client-first approach, she offers guidance during critical claim times, reflected in her excellent NPS results.

Team of the Year: Financial Independence (Tauranga).

Goes to the advice business with a strong strategy and brand, consistently delivering outstanding advice solutions to customers, with robust leadership underpinning its success.  

With 22 professionals, this team provides outstanding life insurance and service advice, supported by specialised roles in Operations, Claims, and Customer Outcomes. Their commitment to clients is enhanced by teamwork, with everyone based in one office to foster collaboration and shared learning. Their community involvement is equally inspiring, supporting causes like Women’s Wellness, Homes of Hope, Scouts NZ, and Breast Cancer Support.

Lifetime Award: Grant Maddison - Maddison Financial Services (Queenstown).

This is a prestigious award which not only acknowledges depth of experience, but also recognises the adviser’s service to, and influence in, the betterment of the wider industry. Awarded to someone who’s also committed to giving back, they generously share their wisdom and mentor others to follow a purpose-led career as a financial adviser. 

Grant has built a reputation as a trusted adviser and mentor, blending warmth and professionalism. His client base is diverse, from tradies to high-net-worth families, with whom he’s fostered long-standing relationships. Specialising in rural sectors, SMEs, and families across Queenstown, Central Otago, and Southland, he’s respected for his expertise and commitment. Beyond his professional achievements, he’s a proud member of Financial Advice New Zealand and brings a passion for travel, golf, soccer, and community.

Gordon Watson Trophy: Brett Pearce - Pearce Financial Services (Auckland).

Named after Fidelity Life’s founder Gordon Watson, who championed the role of life insurance in protecting the lives of New Zealanders, and the vital yet often unrecognised role of an adviser in nudging people to consider the long-term and take out cover to protect themselves and their loved ones. The Gordon Watson Trophy is awarded to an adviser who upholds these beliefs, champions the customer-led values of Fidelity Life, and works tirelessly to help more New Zealanders get protection.  

Brett is a 6-time winner of this award. With his extensive experience in the industry and focus on customer outcomes, Brett is consistently described by his customers as professional, prepared, and knowledgeable, keeps up with the latest industry developments and offers a variety of options to meet his customers’ needs. Always there for his customers at claim time, he is also highly regarded by our internal claims and underwriting teams.   

Fidelity Life’s Business manager of the year award was shared by Kenny Kaushish (Auckland) and Michelle Vaughan (Christchurch), who have shown incredible growth and tenacity in delivering outstanding performances.

Winners received their awards from Fidelity Life CEO Campbell Mitchell and the company’s Head of Individual Life, David Winspear.

“Ever since Fidelity Life was founded by a financial adviser, Gordon Watson, more than 50 years ago, we’ve enjoyed an enduring partnership with advisers. When advisers grow, we grow and New Zealand grows. We’ll continue grow together with advisers, and that’s why it’s so important to recognise and celebrate their success,” Campbell Mitchell says.

David Winspear says: “We know financial advice drives better financial and emotional outcomes for New Zealanders and recognising our best advisers is just one way we can both recognise their contribution to our business and inspire others to strive for excellence.”

With a theme of ‘Growth for good,’ Engage 2024 featured an exciting programme of inspirational speakers, including New Zealand’s most decorated Olympian, Dame Lisa Carrington, New Zealand comedy icon Dai Henwood and renowned journalist Patrick Gower.