OUR PEOPLE
Our people are at the heart of our success. We have a team of dedicated and experienced professionals who share a passion for delivering outcomes for our clients.
Our people have diverse skills and perspectives, but they all adhere to the same core values of integrity, excellence and innovation.
We foster a collaborative and inclusive culture that supports learning, development and personal growth.
- Board members
- Leadership team
Matt Whineray
Chair, FirstCape Board
Matt spent the last fifteen years working for the Guardians of New Zealand Superannuation. He joined the Guardians in May 2008 as General Manager, Private Markets, became Chief Investment Officer in 2014 and was appointed as CEO in July 2018.
Before joining the Guardians, Matt was at Credit Suisse (Hong Kong) where he was Head of Financial Sponsor Coverage for non-Japan Asia. Prior to this, he was a Managing Director at First NZ Capital in New Zealand and a Vice President in the Leveraged Finance Group at Credit Suisse First Boston in New York. Matt began his career as a Barrister and Solicitor with Russell McVeagh in Auckland.
Angela Mentis
Director, FirstCape Board
Angela's executive career has spanned 37 years in financial services. Her most recent executive role was Chief Digital, Data and Analytics Officer, NAB, and prior to this she was Managing Director & CEO BNZ, and Group Executive, Business Banking NAB.
Angela served as a Director of BNZ. She is a former Director of the NZ Banking Ombudsman, Loyalty NZ, JBWere, WealthHub Securities, MLC Advice Licences and National Australia Trustees Boards.
Angela holds a Bachelor of Business (Finance and Economics and a sub major in Business Law) from the University of Technology, Sydney and is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, a senior Fellow of FINSIA and a member of Chief Executive Women.
Bill Trotter
Director, FirstCape Board
Bill is Executive Chairman of Jarden (then known as FNZC), appointed in 2002.
He was previously Chief Executive of the firm and a Managing Director of Credit Suisse First Boston.
Bill has a wide range of experience in capital markets and corporate transactions.
David Brown
Director, FirstCape Board
David joined Pacific Equity Partners at the start of 2004. Prior to joining PEP, he spent his analyst years in the Investment Banking Division of JP Morgan.
David is a Director on a number of Boards including Manuka Health, ACG / UP, Patties, iNova, Evolution, Magentus, Healthe, Cranky and Healthia.
David received a PLD from Harvard Business School and first class honours degrees (BCom and LLB) from the University of Queensland where he was awarded a University Medal.
Malcolm Jackson
Chief Executive Officer
Malcolm was appointed Jarden’s CEO of Wealth and Asset Management in October 2022, prior to becoming the FirstCape CEO. With more than 20 years of experience in the financial sector in Private Equity, Malcolm previously held roles as Managing Director with both Blackstone in London and Singapore, as well as with TPG Capital in Melbourne.
Outside of work, Malcolm is on the boards of Hello Period, Real World and the Woodford House Board.
Matt Robinson
Director, FirstCape Board
Matt joined Pacific Equity Partners in 2009. Prior to joining PEP, he was a consultant with Bain & Company in Australia. Matt is also on the Board's of Allied Pinnacle, LifeHealthcare, Altus, and Agright. Matt was an Innovation Scholar at Macquarie University where he received a Bachelor of Commerce (Actuarial Studies) and was awarded the Vice Chancellor’s Commendation for Academic Excellence.
Ravi Aggarwal
Director, FirstCape Board
Ravi joined NAB in 2014 and is the Executive, Head of Group Development, which comprises the NAB Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A), NAB Ventures and the Acquisition & Transition Management teams.
Ravi is a Non-Executive Director and member of the Board Nomination Committee for MLC Limited. Ravi is also a Non-Executive Director of the NAB India Innovation Centre, NAB Ventures Pty Ltd and Diners Club Pty Ltd (all NAB Group Entities),
Prior to joining NAB, Ravi worked in the Investment Banking Division of Morgan Stanley in Sydney, Mumbai and London. During his time at Morgan Stanley, Ravi was responsible for the execution and origination of M&A and capital market transactions, with a focus on the financial institutions sector.
Ravi holds a Bachelor of Commerce and Bachelor of Laws (First Class Honours) from The University of Sydney.
Malcolm Jackson
Chief Executive Officer
Malcolm was appointed Jarden’s CEO of Wealth and Asset Management in October 2022, prior to becoming the FirstCape CEO. With more than 20 years of experience in the financial sector in Private Equity, Malcolm previously held roles as Managing Director with both Blackstone in London and Singapore, as well as with TPG Capital in Melbourne.
Outside of work, Malcolm is on the boards of Hello Period, Real World and the Woodford House Board.
Andrew Bascand
Co-CEO/CIO, Asset Management
Andrew is the founder of Harbour Asset Management. Prior to founding Harbour Asset Management, Andrew spent 10 years with AllianceBernstein New Zealand as Senior Vice President and Portfolio Manager responsible for portfolio construction of all Australasian equity mandates. In that role Andrew and his team were consistently recognised by the industry for excellence in funds management. Andrew has more than 40 years’ investment management experience including roles with the Reserve Bank of New Zealand, the Bank of England, AMP and with Merrill Lynch Global Asset Management (UK).
Chris Wilson
Co-CEO, Asset Management
Chris has more than 15 years’ experience in financial markets. He was previously the Head of Wealth Solutions at Jarden before becoming CEO of Jarden Wealth following the formation of FirstCape. Prior to joining Jarden, Chris held senior roles at ASB including asset management responsibilities. Chris is a CFA Charter holder, holds a Masters of Applied Finance (Distinction), BA Economics (Hons) and a BCom in Finance.
Craig Patrick
CEO, Wealth Management
Craig has more than 20 years’ experience in the financial services industry across private wealth management, investment management and fund administration. Craig worked for The Citco Group of Companies in London, Toronto, Sydney and Singapore in senior roles and prior to Citco with Schroder’s Investment Management in London. On returning, Craig was with the New Zealand Superannuation Fund before joining JBWere in 2012. Craig has a Bachelor of Commerce and Administration from Victoria University of Wellington.
Dawie Olivier
Chief Transformation Officer
Dawie is a technology leader, whose fire lies in the overlap of people, technology, and innovation. He’s focused on ensuring FirstCape provides industry-leading platforms that serve the diverse needs of our clients.
Dawie joined Jarden from executive technology leadership roles across investment and retail banks in South Africa, Australia and New Zealand, most recently at Westpac Banking Corporation, where he led the group program of transformation towards lines of business and before that was the Chief Information Officer. Dawie is an Advisory Board member of Fidelity Life as well as Clearpoint, one of NZ’s leading software engineering businesses.
Jessica Friend
Chief People Officer
Jessica brings over a decade of experience in Human Resources and Employment Relations, including at global organisations Colliers International and Fiji Water. Following her return to New Zealand she joined Jarden Wealth as Head of People & Culture, and is now Chief People Officer for FirstCape.
Jessica is responsible for the delivery of FirstCape’s People Strategy - ensuring a great employee experience, and a high performing workforce dedicated to delivering exceptional results for clients. She holds a Bachelors Degree in Psychology.
John McDermott
Chief Financial Officer
John McDermott has been the Chief Operating Officer at JBWere New Zealand, where he oversaw finance, cash, lending products, accounting, risk management, and audit compliance. He also provided strategic support to the NZ CEO. Previously, he worked at UBS in various roles, including Consultant/Project Accountant, Head of Cost Accounting and Investment Banking Product Control, and Investment Banking Product Controller.
John also has experience as a Company Accountant at London Offshore Consultants. He holds a Chartered Management Accountant degree from The Chartered Institute of Management Accountants and a Bachelor of Business degree in Accounting and Marketing from AUT.
Nichola Hiatt
General Counsel
As General Counsel for FirstCape, and before that Jarden Wealth and Asset Management, Nichola advises leaders across the business on day-to-day legal, and regulatory issues, and providing advice on strategic and commercial projects. Nichola has experience both in-house and in private practice, having spent over a decade working in nationwide firms including Buddle Findlay and Anthony Harper. Nichola has expertise in company and corporate law, mergers and acquisitions, securities law, regulatory matters, governance, anti-money laundering and risk management.
Nichola has an LLB/BA from the University of Otago and is a Barrister & Solicitor of the High Court of New Zealand. She has served as a member of the Executive Board for the Canterbury Medical Research Foundation since 2013.
Taylor Brown
Director, Strategy
Taylor provides leadership and advice on corporate strategy and M&A projects. She joined Jarden as an Investment Banking Analyst in 2018, before shifting into a Strategy role for Jarden Wealth & Asset Management.
She holds a BCom in Accounting & Finance and a Certificate of Language (Chinese) from the University of Auckland.
WORK WITH US
FirstCape offers a variety of opportunities for talented and motivated individuals who share our vision and values. Whether you are an experienced professional or just starting out in your career, you can find your place in one of our diverse and dynamic teams.
As a member of the FirstCape group, you will enjoy a supportive and stimulating work environment, competitive compensation and benefits, and access to continuous learning and development opportunities.
You will also have the chance to make a positive impact on the lives of our clients and the communities we serve. If you are interested in joining us, please browse our current openings or submit your resume for future consideration. We look forward to hearing from you.
A brighter path, for all new Zealanders