My Story

Business is in my blood. I grew up in and around my family’s stevedoring business — a fourth-generation legacy that taught me both the pride and the pressure of ownership. After earning a BCom at Auckland University and working for Sir Colin Giltrap’s Mercedes-Benz arm, I joined our own family firm for 5 years. Not long after, my father sold the business - a pivotal moment that showed me the reality of succession, timing and hard decisions.

I went on to create my own ventures. In 2002 I launched Co-Pilot®, helping businesses sharpen strategy and sales. In 2006 I co-founded GrownUps®, which grew into NZ’s leading lifestyle platform for the 50+ demographic. At its peak: 200,000 monthly visitors, 160,000 members and 10,000 articles. After tough negotiations and multiple shareholding changes that included Sentinel (now part of Heartland) & Yellow, we sold GrownUps in 2016 to Cigna (now Chubb), a Fortune 500 company.

Since then, I’ve returned to Co-Pilot and worked alongside more than 150 owners, execs and partners — across industries from healthcare, travel & construction, to law and accounting firms. The common thread? Helping leaders navigate stress, seize opportunity and prepare for succession or exit with confidence, anytime.

Why I do this
I know how lonely business can be. The stakes are high, the decisions are constant, and it often feels like it’s all on your shoulders. That’s why I act as a trusted Co-Pilot: not just an advisor at arm’s length, but someone who steps in alongside you as if I were an owner too.

Whether it’s:

• Untangling today’s problems so you can move forward,
• Preparing your business to be exit-ready anytime, or
• Developing the next generation of leaders in your firm,

…I bring calm, clarity, and momentum.

What I believe

• Business is tough — but you don’t have to do it alone.
• Asking for help is strength, not weakness. Like Roger Federer said: “Yes, you can stand alone on your side of the net, but your success depends on your team.”
• Values drive results. I only work with leaders who value trust, integrity, and accountability — because strong businesses are built on strong principles.
• Legacy matters. Not just the value you leave behind, but the impact you have on people and the relationships you build along the way.

My Values

• Trust → You can count on me to treat your business as if it were my own.
• Integrity → Straight talk, no hidden agendas. I’ll always tell you what you need to hear, not just what you want to hear.
• Accountability → If we agree on outcomes, I’ll stand beside you to deliver them.
• People-first → Success is measured not only by numbers, but by the quality of relationships and the legacy left behind.