Getting to know...Peter Leitch

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Peter Leitch isn't the Mad Butcher, but he sure knows how to cut and dice an investment portfolio.

Friday, May 29th 2015, 10:00AM 2 Comments

Peter mountain biking with his eldest son Alex

Who are you and what do you do?
Peter Leitch and I have been providing financial advice since 1994.
 

How did you get into the advisory industry?
Blind ad in The Dominion at a time that I was bored and disillusioned with my first job out of university.  I called and it was Prudential.  I then had the determination to stick at it and grow my business by referrals.

You studied politics and worked up at Parliament. How has that helped you as an adviser, particularly with all the regulatory changes over recent years?
It's helped me understand the decision making process.  And how lobbying and relationships can be very effective tools.  It also made me appreciate that money can command influence.  But that most of all, emotion and common sense can’t be brought.  And they are ultimately far more powerful motivators for lasting change.  Useful to remember as an adviser dealing with people every day.

Who should be trusted more - politicians or advisers?
Advisers.

If there is one thing you would like to change about the financial advice industry, what would it be? 
I think we need to focus on the good that we all do – collectively, whether an adviser, an insurer, a fund manager, a lender.  We really make a difference in people’s lives – and this difference is often extends to more than one generation.  If we collectively pushed the positive we would minimise the dross – and provide the good stories for the media to report, rather than the occasional bad story….

What’s the best advice you have ever received?

A cub always does his best, he thinks of others before himself, and does a good turn every day…

Hard to argue with huh – not that you knew that as an 8 year old.  Oh, and to always say please and thank you.

And a couple that are useful with our role  ….., buy the cheapest car your ego can afford, and see the people, see the people, see the people.  And John Savage’s Spend/Save, Save/Spend circles.  Very powerful.  That has stood me and my clients in good stead.

And perhaps one more, which I have in the office and reflect on most days “Do not spoil what you have by desiring what you have not; but remember that what you now have was once among the things that you only hoped for.” – Epicurus, Ancient Greek Philosopher.

Outside of work what do you do? 
Live with Sarah and our three children who are 15, 14 and 12; walk, mountain bike and take the odd photo now and again.  Occasionally drink craft beer too….

What’s one thing people may be surprised to know about you?
Some would say that I know all sorts of completely useless information about places and things in New Zealand.  I also studied history and continue to hunt out old photos, places and things – particularly if there has been a railway there… or a coal mine…. Or a timber mill.  Yep, love the West Coast…
My Masters thesis was called “The Introduction of Universal Suffrage in Western Samoa.  An analysis of the Plebiscite and the 1988 and 1991 general elections”
Whoops, that two…..

If you weren’t in this job what would you be doing? 
Enjoying retirement.

Tags: financial advisers Getting to Know

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