Picture: Life Member Andrew Kerr with Lifetume Achievement winner Joshbronkhorst
Josh Bronkhorst is the Chief Executive of Link Financial Group and has spent more than three decades helping shape the financial advice profession in New Zealand and this award recognises that long-standing contribution.
His career spans law, advice and business leadership, including earlier work as a public defender before moving into financial services. He has built a reputation for consistently putting people, integrity and client outcomes at the centre of his work, while staying closely connected to the practical realities advisers face every day.
His leadership has grown advice capability and strengthened support structures for advisers around the country, always with a focus on professionalism and better outcomes for clients.
New Zealand Financial Services Group and Loan Market were jointly recognised for the scale of their contribution to the broader community and their commitment to backing initiatives beyond day-to-day business.
Together, the two organisations have used their reach to support community-minded initiatives through the Share Tomorrow Foundation as part of its community and giving focus, and to strengthen the wider impact of financial advice.
Professional Investment Services Manawatu was recognised for its work helping clients build confidence and make informed financial decisions.
Based in Palmerston North, the firm services clients across the wider Manawatu. The award recognises the value of financial capability work that happens away from the spotlight, helping people understand their options, ask better questions and make steadier decisions about money.
This is the kind of work that lifts financial confidence over time and strengthens trust in advice at a local level.
Andrew Kerr was awarded Life Membership in recognition of his enduring contribution to the financial adviceprofession and his long service to industry leadership in New Zealand.
Kerr founded Seneca Group in 1996 and built the business over 27 years before retiring as a financial adviser in December 2022. His career in financial advice spans close to five decades, starting as a life agent in 1974 and later including senior sales and executive management roles in the life insurance industry.
He has continued to contribute through governance and legacy work, including as secretary-treasurer of the Professional Advisers Association from 2012 to 2016 and as a trustee of the PAA Legacy Trust.
Service Recognition Awards
Sumita Paul (Athena Wealth NZ)
Paul was recognised for her contribution to the profession and wider financial wellbeing work. Paul has served on the Member Advisory Committee since 2022. She is a Certified Financial Planner and principal of Athena Wealth NZ, an independent practice focused on financial planning and investment management.
Her background includes more than 16 years in financial advice and investment management as well as earlier fiduciary and philanthropy work at Perpetual Guardian. She is also part of the Sorted at Work facilitator directory and has held governance roles including National Board Director of YWCA New Zealand and Trustee of the Grief Centre.
That combination of professional expertise, education and service reflects a broader commitment to improving financial wellbeing and supporting people through important life decisions.
Julius Capilitan (Century 21 Financial)
Capilitan was recognised for his contribution to Financial Advice New Zealand’s Member Advisory Committee which he has served on since 2020 and as the Chair since 2025.
Capilitan is Managing Director and Primary Financial Adviser at Century 21 Financial. He took ownership of the business in 2019 after two years as general manager, having previously held specialist and fund management roles at ANZ Bank, KiwiBank, AXA Group Investment and NZX.
His background spans residential and commercial lending, insurance, investments and banking. He has also taken on visible roles within the wider profession, including chairing lending discussions at Financial Advice New Zealand events.
David Gumbley (Fortitude Financial)
Gumbley was recognised for his contribution to professional advice and his ongoing support for adviser development. Gumbley has served on the Canterbury regional committee for the past three years and has played a significant role in expanding the regional engagement of the professional body.
He is a Certified Financial Planner and financial adviser currently with Fortitude Financial.
He was among the new CFP professionals announced by Financial Advice New Zealand in 2025 and has hosted Community of Practice events for new members in Christchurch, helping advisers connect, learn and build confidence within the profession. His contribution reflects both technical capability and a genuine commitment to supporting the next wave of advisers coming through.
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