OUR EXPERT AGRI ADVISORY TEAM

Scott is one of the founders and a Director of NZAB. With over 18 years experience in the Agribusiness Banking and advisory industry, including senior relationship and agribusiness sector leadership roles prior to starting NZAB. 

 

Scott has a unique understanding of both farmer and internal bank and regulatory requirements, and uses this experience to lead and develop solutions that enable NZAB to deliver the best outcomes for both farmers and banks.

 

Mobile: 021 243 8552

Nathan is one of the founders and a Director of NZAB, and has had more than 23 years’ experience in the Agribusiness Banking and advisory sector, including overseeing some of New Zealand's largest corporate agribusiness debt exposures. Previous roles include senior leadership and account management.

 

He has been involved in the placement of bank equity and subordinated debt into farming businesses, which enabled clients to take on significant growth and intensification projects.

 

Nathan has an ongoing involvement in a farming business in mid-Canterbury and enjoys dealing with all relationships across the agribusiness sector and negotiating great funding outcomes for farmers.

 

Mobile: 029 200 8235

Andrew is one of the founders and a Director of NZAB and has worked in the Agribusiness Banking and advisory industry for over 22 years. A leading senior banker and recipient of a number of bank awards, he has a wide range of banking skills in both agribusiness finance and credit analysis.

 

His previous specialist roles include equity partnership formation, governance leadership, and he has become a sought-after expert in debt and interest rate structuring. Andrew has experience in both large and mid-size agribusinesses, and sits on a number of New Zealand’s largest farming business advisory boards. He also has significant experience with hybrid debt and equity structuring.

 

Mobile: 021 907 763

Prior to joining NZAB, Sarah gained over nine years experience within top tier Private Equity and Investment Banking firms in London and Sydney before returning to New Zealand. 

 

Sarah joined NZAB in 2020, her role as Operations Manager is to work alongside the Managing Director, three additional Directors and the NZAB Board. To manage, maintain, and facilitate continuous improvement to all operational aspects ensuring the smooth and efficient running of the business.

 

In addition to the day-to-day operations, assisting to develop and implement strategic solutions. A large part of Sarah's role is to manage the Human Resources Operational side of the business and work alongside the Chief Financial officer overseeing invoices and accounts. 

Alongside the Marketing Head, Sarah's role is to co-ordinate and deliver NZAB's marketing strategy. 

 

Mobile: 021 260 6771

Mike Willetts brings extensive leadership experience in the financial services and advisory sectors, with a proven track record of leading large teams and delivering strategic outcomes. He has held significant roles in banking, including serving as General Manager of Business Bank & Specialist Markets and Managing Partner in Canterbury, where he shared responsibility for Agribusiness and regional growth.

 

Earlier in his career, Mike worked closely with farming clients across North Otago and Ellesmere, gaining deep insights into the agricultural sector. More recently, as CEO of a leading accounting and advisory firm in Christchurch, he successfully navigated business challenges while driving growth and advisory excellence.

 

In his role with NZAB, Mike is focused on expanding the business and delivering market-leading advisory solutions to farmers, leveraging his wealth of experience to support the rural sector’s long-term success.

 

Mobile: 029 200 4837 

Prior to NZAB, Nick had been working in the banking industry focusing primarily on businesses involved in the Primary Sector. After six years representing the bank where he worked alongside a mix of family operations and some of New Zealand’s largest Corporate Agribusinesses, Nick joined the NZAB team armed with the inside knowledge as to how credit decisions are made and what bankers require to be able to support clients funding requests. 

 

Three and a half years into his journey with NZAB, he remains driven by the challenge of working with clients to deliver a clear and comprehensive strategy that ensures complete alignment and understanding between all stakeholders involved in the business.

 

Nick has been involved with a wide range of transactions across a multitude of industries and prides himself on developing strong relationships that are complimented by his deep understanding of the agribusiness sector and its interactions with the banking market.

 

Mobile: 021 928 897

Prior to joining NZAB, Cam had amassed 23 years experience in the Agribusiness Banking industry, managing an extensive range of clients over that time from smaller scale operations in the Southern Hawkes Bay to growing and managing one of the largest Corporate Agri portfolios in the country with clients spread throughout the South Island across a number of primary sectors.

 

Cam was born and raised on a mixed cropping farm in Central Canterbury and has an ongoing involvement in a farming business in South Canterbury along with a small block near West Melton where wife Lucy, their three son's, and he reside.

 

His strong relationship skills combined with an extensive understanding of farming systems, banking and regulatory policies puts him in a very strong position to build enduring client relationships whilst offering sound and practical advice to ensure the right outcomes are achieved.

 

Mobile: 029 200 8101 

Chris is a passionate Agribusiness professional with strong analytical skills and a growth mindset. Chris has over 13 years of experience in the Agribusiness financial industry with relationship management roles for two major Agribusiness Banks, including an acquisition focus.

 

Chris is particularly interested in how banks work and the different cycles they operate in, and how that influences customer policy. Chris has a strong desire to help customers articulate their business strengths to a financial provider but is also interested in understanding and analysing businesses with a view for improvement in financial performance. Chris becomes a strong advocate for his customers. Their success is his purpose. 

 

Mobile: 027 206 4602

Ray was born and raised on a sheep and beef property in Gisborne before heading south to attend Lincoln University .Ray has over 18 years in the financial services industry including 16 years Rural Banking within New Zealand and two years with JP Morgan Investment Bank in the UK.

 

Ray has been involved in his own family businesses for over 10 years across a range of industries including, education, health & wellbeing and farm development.

 

In his role as a Rural Banker he had the privilege of managing a substantial portfolio of corporate clients across the South Island, navigating various primary sectors and handling some of the bank's most significant debt exposures. This role not only sharpened his financial acumen but also reinforced his commitment to delivering tailored solutions that drive success for his clients.

 

Beyond Ray’s banking career he has continued to operate in an advisory role to clients in the rural sector and successfully completed several equity raising transactions in recent years.

 

Mobile: 027 243 0025

Brooke was raised on a hill country sheep and beef farm in central North Island, attended Lincoln University, following this, moved to South Canterbury.

Her experience in the Agricultural industry is varied, from practical work on dairy, poultry and sheep and beef properties, to coordinating livestock into meat works and different roles within the rural accounting sector.

Brooke’s role with NZAB is to assist the Timaru Client Directors with their customers, focusing on client analytics and reporting.

 

Mobile: 027 559 9685

Jordain began her career in Agribusiness working for ASB bank for three and a half years. Throughout this time she has had experience in multiple lending tiers, including most recently Agri corporate.

 

Growing up on a sheep and beef farm in Hindon, Otago, Jordain has a passion for all areas of our primary sector. Her study involved gaining a Bachelor of Commerce (Agriculture) from Lincoln University.

 

Based with her partner James on a 1,350 cow farm in Mid Canterbury, Jordain is also currently on the Dairy Woman’s Network trust board as well as being involved locally as a Canterbury Hub leader for the organisation.

 

Jordain is passionate about building relationships and helping clients achieve their goals.

 

Mobile: 027 589 0347

Prior to NZAB,  James worked in the Agribusiness banking sector for several years in the Southland region, managing a diverse portfolio dealing with a range of primary industry types. James prides himself on his ability to form close working relationships with his clients through a deep understanding of their business and helping them to achieve their desired financial outcomes.

 

His interest in the Agriculture sector stems from growing up on a dairy farm in the Mid Canterbury region. James has always maintained a close connection to the rural sector and is driven by the enjoyment of adding value to our customers.

 

Mobile: 021 083 13531

Prior to joining NZAB, Juliet had been working in the Banking Industry for 15 years, with 13 years spent in Agribusiness banking.

 

Her client base was diverse, covering multiple industry types, over Canterbury, West Coast & Marlborough. Juliet’s main motivation was to uncover her clients’ goals, and work with them in collaboration to achieve these. Seeing clients grow and move through their targets was the most rewarding part of her role.

 

Her interest in the Agribusiness sector comes from spending time on her grandparents and Uncles farms in Southland, where she spent her early childhood. This gave her exposure to sheep, beef, and deer farming, and grew her passion for continuing to work within the Agribusiness sector as she built her own career path.

 

Juliet is based in Canterbury, where she resides with her husband and 2 young daughters.

 

Mobile: 027 419 7768

Melissa is from a sheep, deer and cropping farm north of Timaru. Melissa held relationship, credit risk, learning and leadership roles in Agribusiness banking for the last 12+ years in Australia and New Zealand.                         

Melissa has experience with providing banking solutions of various sizes and complexities.  Melissa has a strong analytical and strategic appreciation for the wide array of client needs.    

 

Mobile: 027 299 7302

 

Prior to joining NZAB, Mark had been working in the banking industry for approximately 25 years. He has held a number of roles across Retail, Agribusiness, Business and Corporate Banking in New Zealand as well as 12 years spent working in Private Equity and Investment Banking in the United Kingdom.

 

Prior to joining NZAB Mark was managing a large portfolio of Business clients. His strong relationship skills combined with an extensive understanding of multiple industries as well as banking and regulatory policies position him well to build enduring client relationships whilst offering sound and practical advice to ensure that the right outcomes are achieved.

 

Mark was born and raised in Timaru and moved to Christchurch in 2013 where he now resides with his wife Shevaun and their two boys.

 

Mobile: 021 657 737

Cameron grew up on a small sheep and beef farm in Mabel Bush down in Southland, where he spent a lot of his time working on farms. 

 

Cameron recently graduated with a Bachelor of Commerce in Agriculture at Lincoln University and has a desire to make his mark within the Agricultural sector. 

 

Mobile: 027 910 1207

Sophie was raised on a Dairy farm near Kahutara in the South Wairarapa. After a move South to study at Lincoln University, she held sales roles both within the Agriculture and the food and beverage sectors.

 

After some time focusing on family, Sophie has more recently undertaken administration roles supporting sales teams which aligns with her passion to help others succeed.

 

Sophie is really proud to be undertaking an Operations Support role as part of the NZAB team, a brand she has followed the growth of closely.

Joe was raised in Canterbury and developed his connection with the agribusiness industry by working on his parent's dairy farm and within agri-support businesses. These experiences have allowed Joe to develop his understanding of the industry and a passion for helping agribusinesses thrive.

 

Joe studied a bachelor of commerce at the University of Canterbury. After starting his professional career at a large Christchurch accounting firm Joe has moved to NZAB. This experience allowed Joe to help clients better understand their balance sheets and improve and grow their businesses. He is also working towards his graduate diploma in Chartered Accounting.

A born and bred Southlander, Michael was raised on a deer farm in Central Southland. He has over 13 years’ experience in the rural banking industry, holding various client management and leadership roles. Most recently he was Regional Manager for the Southland area for a large Agribusiness Bank. Michael is passionate about the rural industry and working with farmers to achieve their goals and ambitions.

 

Michael has a young family and is heavily involved in rugby, coaching at a senior and representative level.

 

Michael joined NZAB in 2020 and is responsible for leading the NZAB brand across Southland and Otago, focusing on empowering farmers to have the confidence to control the financial and banking outcomes.

 

Mobile: 021 815 270

From a farming background in Southland, Grant brings an in-depth understanding of the Agricultural sector, his business, banking and financial experience allows him to advise clients to move forward.  With 19 years of banking and financial experience Grant is able to strategically focus on getting the best outcomes for his clients.

With a background in executive and operational management and having managed a diverse range of clients in the dairy, sheep and beef industries, Grant will add value to your business through sound Agribusiness finance and credit analysis.

 

Mobile: 022 533 6843

Lana comes to NZAB with over 12 years’ experience in the banking sector specialising in both Agribusiness and business.

 

Outside of NZAB Lana and her partner are dairy farmers, this hands-on experience allows her to understand the challenges and opportunities faced by businesses on the frontline.

 

With a proven track record of success in the financial sector, Lana combines her expertise in banking with hands-on industry knowledge to provide tailored financial solutions that drive growth and prosperity for her clients.

 

With a strong focus on building lasting relationships and delivering results, Lana is someone who goes above and beyond to meet the needs of her clients and help them achieve their goals.

 

Mobile:  027 4375 691

Jenn has had a varied career having spent over eight years as a neonatal intensive care nurse before changing professions and becoming a chartered accountant. Jenn was an auditor for four years and has also worked in financial and management accounting roles for over four years. Jenn's nursing background has provided her with excellent communication skills and strong analytical skills from her auditing background.

 

She was born and bred in Southland and returned back to Invercargill in 2019 with her family after 12 years in Dunedin. Family is an important aspect of Jenn's life.

 

Mobile: 027 285 1444

 

Mobile: 027 299 0608

Utilising his personal farming, banking, and business experience Mark will work determinedly alongside you and your business  for best results.

 

From grafting along on his parents King Country drystock block, Mark then spent over 12 years with one of New Zealand’s major banks, initially involved across a range of dairy and drystock portfolios, followed by team leadership roles in the South Waikato, and then a senior position working with large scale corporate agri customers.  Mark and his wife Ursula also run their own international business, exporting their individual range of animal health products to over 40 countries.

 

NZAB provides Mark the perfect opportunity to combine these real life farming, banking and business skills with his passion for the agriculture sector and its people.  Particularly interested in improving his customers financial position, exploring investment opportunities and negotiating better outcomes Mark works closely with you and your chosen bank.

 

Mark resides in Cambridge with his young family and with any spare time enjoys the great New Zealand outdoors, particularly the game animals and sea life on offer.

 

Mobile: 027 200 5880

Brendan is a shareholder and Director of NZAB with more than 14 years’ experience in the Agribusiness Banking and advisory industry.

 

Prior to NZAB he had five years managing a corporate agribusiness portfolio of clients in the wider Manawatu area. Brendan has dealt with clients ranging from contract and sharemilkers through to large scale Agribusiness clients across a wide range of primary industries.

 

Brendan also farms in partnership a family owned irrigated sheep and beef property.

 

Mobile: 021 290 0239

Charlotte was born and bred in Taranaki on a dairy farm just out of Okato. After graduating from Massey University she took on a role with an Agribusiness Bank.  This lead to her working as a rural manager in Taranaki, and more recently a role in the Agri sector in Manawatu, before joining the NZAB team.

 

As a Rural Manager Charlotte accumulated a wealth of experience, working with many families and enterprises, to successfully grow their rural business. Charlotte enjoys working with clients to help them understand and achieve their goals and be able to clearly articulate them to their banks in order to better their business.

 

Outside of work Charlotte and her husband Tom lease a sheep and beef farm just out of Palmerston North.

 

Mobile: 027 233 6608

Duncan brings with him a wealth of experience and expertise from his 18 years in the banking sector. Most recently, he managed a corporate agribusiness portfolio across the lower and central North Island for three years. His extensive experience and deep understanding of the agribusiness sector make him a valuable addition to our team.

 

Duncan values relationships and enjoys working with customers to help them achieve their dreams and ambitions. He understands that running a farming business can be complex, and believes that being surrounded by trusted advisers can give farmers the confidence to execute their plans and strategies effectively.

 

Duncan grew up on a small drystock block in Hawkes Bay and now resides with his family on a lifestyle block in the Pohangina Valley, Manawatu.

 

Mobile: 027 571 7038

Mike has six years’ experience in the banking industry, working for two of the major banks. He is a Registered Property Valuer with seven years’ valuation experience before moving into the banking industry.

 

Mike grew up on a dairy farm in the Waikato and his strong credit and financial analysis skills adds great value to our customers.

 

Mobile: 020 4112 1899

Rachel has joined NZAB after a varied career in business banking with two main New Zealand Banks.

 

Her role is to assist the Palmerston North Client Directors with their farming customers – focusing on analysis, strategy and business presentation, client management and regular management reporting.

 

Mobile: 027 608 2364