Enduring relationships
Understanding and evolving with our clients' needs are at the heart of what we do. Meet our experienced and talented team below.
Our people
Advisers
Kevin Mclean
Private Wealth Financial Adviser
BIO
Kevin’s career encompasses senior executive roles with multi-national organisations to advising high-net-worth families on intergenerational investment strategies. He has expertise in the design and construction of portfolios for New Zealand and international investors including fixed income, international equity, real estate, private equity and alternative investment strategies.
Kevin values building trusted professional relationships with clients based on a thorough understanding of a family’s values and expectations.
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Brigette Arnold Manaia
Private Wealth Financial Adviser
BIO
Brigette brings over 20 years’ experience in the financial industry, having worked across markets in Europe, Asia, North America, the Middle East and Australasia. She began her career at UK-based MVision Private Equity Advisers, where she spent a decade supporting private equity fundraising for global clients and served as the lead relationship manager for institutional investors in Asia, Australia and New Zealand.
Since 2011, Brigette has held senior positions at prominent New Zealand investment firms including Fisher Funds, Knox Investment Partners, NZAM (now Helm Wealth Advisory), GHA and Private Wealth Advisers. Most recently, Brigette worked as a Financial Adviser for Cambridge Partners Limited, where she led the Auckland team before co-founding CP Wealth. She joined the Helm Wealth Advisory team in November 2025.
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Mark Steedman
Private Wealth Financial Adviser, CFP
BIO
Mark brings over 35 years of experience in the financial services industry, providing comprehensive wealth advisory services to individuals and families. His expertise spans tailored custom and discretionary securities portfolios, as well as private market asset investment solutions, including real estate.
With substantial experience working with high-net-worth clients, Mark understands the complexity of their financial requirements and works closely with them to optimise investment outcomes. Over the past decade, he has also supported migrants from around the world with New Zealand-focused financial decisions, including specialist advice and investment management services tailored to meet Immigration New Zealand’s visa-acceptable investment criteria.
Mark spent 18 years as a Private Client Manager at HSBC New Zealand and has served as a Financial Adviser with Helm Wealth Advisory (formerly Newton Ross) for the past 10 years. He has also held roles with Old Mutual Plc in the United Kingdom and ANZ New Zealand.
He holds a Graduate Diploma in Business Studies (Financial Planning) from Massey University, is a Certified Financial Planner CM, and a Practitioner Member of both Financial Advice New Zealand and SIFA.
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Wayne Blomfield
Private Wealth Financial Adviser, CFP
BIO
Wayne has over 35 years’ experience in the financial sector, including roles in accountancy, stockbroking, wealth management, and financial advising. He is a Certified Financial Planner and Chartered Accountant and holds a Graduate Diploma in Personal Financial Planning. Wayne is also a member of Financial Advice New Zealand and Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand.
Wayne’s accounting background provides him with a deep understanding of the financial complexities that underpin effective investment strategies. He offers a comprehensive range of financial services to high-net-worth clients, their families, and associated trusts. These services include customised investment strategies, investment policy development, complex financial modelling, and portfolio construction—designed to help clients meet their investment objectives and/or fiduciary obligations.
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Will Roberts
Private Wealth Financial Adviser
BIO
Will’s experience within the financial sector includes Private Banks, Investment Banks and stock broking firms in New Zealand and abroad. He has been a been a practicing Financial Adviser since 2001.
Will holds a Bachelor of Commerce in accounting from the Auckland University and a Diploma of Business Studies in Personal Financial Planning. He is a Practitioner Member of SIFA
Will’s focuses on gaining an in-depth understanding of client’s circumstances and building models for forecasting expected outcomes – before taking courses of action. His goal is to provide peace of mind and practical solutions – something he finds immensely rewarding.
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Brittany Jackson
BIO
Brittany brings a strong foundation in financial analysis, estate and trust management, commercial strategy and business advisory to the team. With over ten years of experience supporting executive decision-making and enhancing business performance across multiple industries, she now leverages her deep understanding of financial management and forecasting to assist clients in navigating complex financial landscapes and making informed decisions.
A graduate of Otago University, Brittany began her career at Public Trust, grounding her approach in fiduciary responsibility and client service. Brittany spent four years with the Blues Super Rugby franchise, earning recognition for exceptional commitment and integrity to her role within the finance team. Since 2021, Brittany has held business manager and analyst roles that have supported global financial performance and delivered actionable insights to drive growth and resilience.
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David Kandziora
CFA, CAIA
BIO
David brings expertise in investment strategy, asset allocation, portfolio construction and manager selection across public and private assets in traditional and alternative asset classes. He is a Chartered Financial Analyst and Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst and has completed further studies in ESG, climate and impact investment.
David has served as an institutional investment consultant to entities such as the Otago Community Trust ($330M), advising them on investment strategy, asset allocation, investment performance attribution and monitoring, and optimising spending rates for intergenerational equity. David is a Chartered Director of the Institute of Directors. He chairs a for-purpose incorporated society and is a Trustee of a Charitable Foundation.
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Aniket Ghatak
CFA
BIO
Aniket has a strong institutional asset management background, most recently as a Senior Investment Analyst for institutional clients before deciding to join Helm Wealth Advisory as a Portfolio Manager. He specialises in supporting institutional clients through data-driven insights, comprehensive market and manager research, and crafting tailored governance policy documents to help clients meet their long-term financial objectives. Aniket holds the Chartered Financial Analyst designation, demonstrating his understanding of investment strategy and portfolio management. He enjoys collaborating with cross-functional teams to navigate complex financial challenges and is passionate about making a meaningful impact in the financial world.
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Rick Parry
Private Wealth Financial Adviser CFP
BIO
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Management Team
Ross Jensen
BIO
Ross has held senior management roles across various sectors including utilities and property. He has 15+ years financial services experience in wealth management including at Westpac in Sydney and UBS in London. Ross previously led Alvarium’s internal change and integration programme and stepped up to COO to support business performance and growth.
He holds a Bachelors degree in Management Studies from the University of Auckland, and a Master of Commerce in Business Administration from the University of Canterbury.
Mei Fong
BIO
Mei has extensive experience in banking, finance, tax and compliance and has worked in law firms in Hong Kong, London and Wellington. She also managed a wine business introducing New Zealand wines to the New York market.
Mei has a Bachelor or Law and Bachelor or Commerce in accounting and finance from Victoria University. She has been head of compliance since 2016.
Simon Dick
BIO
Simon has financial oversight for Investment and Wealth Management. He is a Chartered Accountant, starting his career in audit with EY in Auckland and then London. He has worked in financial markets roles in London, predominantly at Barclays Capital, where he spent five years in Business Development and as a COO for Foreign Exchange & Emerging Markets. He has also worked in a strategy role with Sealord before moving internally to Group Treasurer, and then progressing to CFO at a derivatives broker; OM Financial (now Jarden).
Simon graduated from Otago University with Bachelor of Commerce in Finance and History and a Post Graduate Diploma in Accounting.
Wayne Ross
BIO
Wayne has 30 years’ experience in financial advice, investment management, and finance industries. He has been responsible for managing investment portfolios for Helm Wealth Advisory high-net-worth clients for the past 3 years.
Prior to Helm Wealth Advisory, Wayne founded Newton Ross, a private wealth management company. He was also General Manager Investments for the Sovereign Group where he was responsible for the investment of NZ$3.5bn on behalf of 600,000 investors.
Wayne has extensive direct portfolio management skills as well as fund manager selection, portfolio construction and asset allocation experience.
Board of Directors
Shane Edmond
BIO
Shane has more than 30 years of experience in the financial markets sector, working in the UK and New Zealand. He joined the leading New Zealand wealth management company, Forsyth Barr, in April 2002, having previously worked in private client and institutional broking roles for 15 years, including at JBWere.
His career at Forsyth Barr spanned over twenty years and saw him hold many senior roles, including Head of Retail Broking and Head of Wealth Management. Shane also served as Executive Director for the Group from 2008 to December 2023. He recently retired from Forsyth Barr.
Shane was a member of the Financial Market Authority’s Code Committee for Financial Advisers for seven years. He has several private investments and director appointments in New Zealand.
John Berry
BIO
John is committed to making ethical investment accessible to all New Zealand investors. He works tirelessly to spread his belief that no one should have to choose between a good investment and an ethical one. He has become an industry leader and advocate for responsible and ethical investing.
Before co-founding Pathfinder in 2009, John worked in law firms and investment banks in Auckland, London, and Sydney. He has a Bachelor of Commerce and Law Degree from Auckland University. He is a board member of Men’s Health Trust.
Brett Gamble
BIO
Brett has an extensive background in private equity and corporate finance globally, having worked in the USA, UK, Australia and New Zealand. He is currently CEO of Gough Investments Ltd where he leads the Gough Investments team and is responsible for the investment and asset management strategy and the overall operations of Gough Investments and the Gough Family Office
Brett is a co-owner and executive director at Helm Wealth Advisory. He holds a number of directorships, including for Mike Greer Homes and Mojo Coffee, Rua Bioscience and has grown businesses in both ownership and executive roles.
Alongside his commercial endeavours, Brett also chairs a South Island-based cancer charity, Chalky Carr Trust.
Matthew Goodson
BIO
Matthew has more than 25 years’ experience in the finance sector. Matthew is a Director of Helm Wealth Advisory and a Portfolio Manager for the Salt NZ Dividend Appreciation Fund, Enhanced Property Fund and Long Short Fund, as well as Salt’s wholesale funds.
Matthew started his career as an Economist with Garlick & Co from 1993-1995 before becoming Head of Research from 1995-1997. He then spent seven years in New York working for BZW and Goldman Sachs JB Were as Director, Wholesale Equitiesbefore returning to New Zealand in 2004 to work for First NZ Capital also as Director, Wholesale Equities until 2009. During this time Matthew also managed a long short fund for First NZ Capital from 2006-2008. Immediately prior to founding Salt, Matthew was employed for over four years as a Portfolio Manager at BT Funds Management (NZ) Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of Westpac Financial Services Group Limited.
Matthew has a Bachelor of Arts degree and Masters in Commerce and Administration (FirstClass Honours) from Victoria University of Wellington and is a holder of the right to use the Chartered Financial Analyst® designation.
Mei Fong
BIO
Mei has extensive experience in banking, finance, tax and compliance and has worked in law firms in Hong Kong, London and Wellington. She also managed a wine business introducing New Zealand wines to the New York market.
Mei has a Bachelor or Law and Bachelor or Commerce in accounting and finance from Victoria University. She has been head of compliance since 2016.