NZ Funds appoints adviser-focused principal

NZ Funds has appointed a new principal with responsibility for its advisers.

Monday, February 17th 2020, 9:30PM

Rebecca Cottrell will take the role.

She will have oversight of the more than 350 advisers who work with NZ Funds through its adviser platform.

She was previously general counsel and corporate secretary to Australian-based Clean Energy Finance Corp, the world’s largest green energy development bank. Prior to that, she was a partner of Goldman Sachs Australia and New Zealand, and before that, general counsel and company secretary to NZX Limited.

NZ Funds said she had a strong understanding of how to build world-class financial infrastructure for multiple users, whether they were clients of Goldman Sachs, members of the NZX or independent financial advisers.

At NZ Funds she will be tasked with overseeing the continued roll out of their independent financial adviser business platform.

"I am excited to be returning to New Zealand, to oversee the development and implementation of what we believe is the leading business platform for financial advisers in New Zealand," she said.

"With its financial planning software, technical infrastructure, and adviser/client-centric business system, NZ Funds is ideally positioned to work with large networks of independent financial advisers which is the entire focus of the business."

She joins other Goldman Sachs alumni at NZ Funds, including John Cobb, former Co-CEO of Goldman Sachs JBWere, Stephan Clark who previously held senior roles in legal and compliance and David Haslam, a senior trader for UBS and Goldman Sachs. All four now hold senior roles or directorships at NZ Funds.

NZ Funds' FUM rose 30% over the past year and core profitability 50%.

Chief executive Michael Lang said that was driven by an increase in advisers partnering with NZ Funds, a reduction in client fees and new wealth management solutions offered for advisers and their clients.

Tags: NZ Funds people