Our Team
Nothing substitutes for experience. Our team has over a century of experience in the finance industry, working for the largest banks and KiwiSaver managers. Now we want to give New Zealanders the dignity and choices that having more money brings.
Our Team
Sam Stubbs
Co-Founder/Managing Director
Sam Stubbs was most recently the CEO Of Tower Investments, a KiwiSaver default provider. Before that he was Managing Director of Hanover Group, and spent 10 years working for Goldman Sachs in London and Hong Kong. He previously worked for Natwest Markets, Fay, Richwhite and IBM New Zealand.
He has been a Board Member of the Financial Services Council, and a member of the Government Taskforce on Financial Services.
Sam has an MA (Hons) from the University of Auckland.
Sam is the father of two children. He dreams of Simplicity and sailing around the world.
Andrew Lance
Co-Founder/Chief Investment Officer
After more than 10 years working in City of London bond market for various investment banks, Andrew emigrated to New Zealand at the end of 1993. More accurately, he was brought here as a souvenir of his wife’s OE. He then fulfilled a variety of roles for New Zealand Funds Management, TOWER Investments, Fisher Funds and finally AMP Financial Services, where he was the investment expert in the project team transitioning AMP products into the new FMC Act regulatory regime. Stimulating stuff!
Andrew and his wife, Heidi have two sons, who keep them on their toes. Always a keen sportsman, he still manages to play cricket, ski whenever possible and get in an occasional round of golf.
Jane Gold
Chief Financial Officer
Jane is the CFO. She qualified as a Chartered Accountant with Price Waterhouse in 1996. Since then she has gained extensive experience in the corporate sector in London, Melbourne and Auckland.
In 2010, she was CFO at Tower Health and Life. Then she led the Finance Team at ecostore for 4 years and most recently CFO at Kepa Financial Services Ltd. Jane’s particular area of expertise is in financial services in all areas of financial and management accounting, reporting, analysis and financial modelling.
Outside of the corporate world Jane is kept busy with her two sons, cooking, gardening, reading, shopping and a small amount of relaxing.
Amir Bashir
Co-Founder/Chief Technology Officer
Amir, Simplicity's CTO, leads the long term technology vision and is responsible for the platform selection and technical design of the Simplicity system. Amir holds an Engineering degree from Massey University majoring in Software.
With close to 10 years of experience working with web technologies, Amir has a great understanding of the web space. Prior to joining Simplicity, Amir worked as senior and lead developer for a number of development agencies and also worked as the Infrastructure Development Manager for interest.co.nz.
Ian Miller
Chief Operating Officer
Ian has over 30 years of financial markets experience in New Zealand. Corporate superannuation and institutional investment has been at the heart of his roles over the years with BNZ, AMP, TOWER Investments and NZX.
Ian worked with Sam and the team in the earlier days of Simplicity and is now a key part of the team.
Ian is a keen sailor. Together with wife Gabs, they live in Devonport, enjoy the beach and often found at a cricket ground over the summer months.
Liv Lewis-Long
Head of Marketing
Liv came on board in late 2022, joining the team to help fuel the growth of the Simplicity brand and its loyal customer base across all divisions. She brings over 10 years' experience across marketing, sales and insights analysis to the business, having previously worked in hands-on and leadership roles across the FMCG, engineering, hospitality and retail industries.
Liv's passion lies in creating and delivering engaging and information-driven marketing which does more than acquire new customers - it creates brand advocates who truly believe in what a business stands for. Something made easier with Simplicity, given how passionate Liv is about growing financial literacy amongst NZers and helping them grow their wealth in an ethical, sustainable way.
In her spare time, Liv is an enthusiastic surfer, snowboarder and yoga teacher, with a passion for travelling and the great outdoors. She's also a self-confessed crazy cat lady (albeit her husband only lets her have two cats, for now).
Jennie O'Donovan
Head of Communications and Education
Jennie joined the team back in 2020, bringing with her 15+ years communications and education experience from the nonprofit sectors in NZ and the UK. She has a BA from Victoria University Wellington, and a Masters in Education from UCL.
Before joining Simplicity she was a self-described sceptic of financial institutions, but was won over by Simplicity’s ethical investing, financial literacy programme and charitable giving. She is now on a mission to help grow Simplicity and make more kiwis richer and smarter with money.
Life outside of the office is all about her family, working on their doer-upper house and pretending she can garden.
Peter Wells
Head of Compliance, Risk and Legal
A West Auckland native, Peter’s London OE evolved into 18 years working for investment banks in various Asian financial centres. After returning to NZ in 2016, Peter worked at Public Trust and Trustees Executors, and then spent three years at the Financial Markets Authority, specialising in regulatory oversight of licensed supervisors, investment managers, and custodians. His most recent role was with ANZ Investments as a senior operational risk and compliance manager.
Peter and his wife Jen, who is a financial journalist and hails from Illinois in the US, have two daughters who keep them in line, and are wondering what life will be like as soon-to-be empty nesters.
Pieter Van Noort
Compliance, Risk & Reporting Manager
Originally from the Netherlands, looking after people’s retirement money has been central to Pieter’s career. In Europe, Pieter held roles in insurance, consulting, and corporate pension plan management. After moving to New Zealand in 2016, he joined the Financial Market Authority’s supervision team. There, he was involved in licensing, anti money laundering, and the oversight of a diverse portfolio of licensed entities. Before joining Simplicity, Pieter worked at ANZ investments in a risk and compliance role.
Not much of sportsman himself, Pieter loves to watch his two teenage sons play football in the weekends.
Matthew Houtman
Head of Private Capital
Matthew has been working with mid-market businesses in New Zealand for the last 15 years. He is the Co-Founder and former Co-Managing Director of Pioneer Capital Partners. Up to his departure, Pioneer had raised three Private Equity funds and invested in 22 export-focussed growth businesses.
Before co-founding Pioneer, Matthew worked at UBS Investment Bank in the Auckland and London offices where he worked with clients on mergers and acquisitions, syndicated finance, bond issuance, IPOs and general corporate advisory.
When not in Auckland, Matthew can be found at his secret hideout on the Coromandel.
Tom Miller
Head of Product
Tom studied an LLB/BA at the University of Auckland. He's previously worked at Red Bull, Foodstuffs and Deloitte. He focused on international tax and general corporate advisory before turning to investment consulting. Tom's experience has been to provide advice to institutional investors on portfolio construction and investment governance. At Simplicity, Tom works on the private equity and venture capital strategy, build-to-rent developments, and is obsessed with making fund products work better for investors.
When he's not dreaming about victory for the Blackcaps, catching fish, or getting off grid, Tom can be found in his natural habitat exploring local pubs and restaurants.
Craig Simpson
Investment Manager
Craig Simpson has had nearly 30 years worth of financial markets experience in New Zealand. He holds a Business Degree endorsed in Finance from Massey University.
Immediately prior to joining Simplicity, Craig worked as a senior analyst for interest.co.nz where he was responsible for monitoring and reporting on KiwiSaver funds and their performance on a quarterly basis.
Previously, Craig worked for BNZ Private Bank. In his capacity as Partner-Portfolio Management, he was responsible for a team of financial planners and analysts and oversaw the advice provided to the bank's high net worth Clients. Craig has a passion for wines and motorcars.
Ryan Lambert
Senior Investment Analyst
A graduate of Massey University, Ryan majored in finance and accounting. During this time there, Ryan was president of the Student Investment Club and was a participant in the Chartered Financial Analyst's competition.
Ryan started with Simplicity as a volunteer research assistant, but since them has worked across a range of roles at Simplicity. As a senior investment analyst, Ryan is responsible for the daily cashflow management of the retail funds, providing reports both internally and externally, as well as supporting the Investment committee.
Ryan has a passion for numbers, the gym and video games and is the office DJ.
Rachel Penberthy
Co-Head of Lending
Rachel is Co-head of lending at Simplicity. She joined the company in 2019 after 10+ years working in an operations role within the medical industry.
Outside of work, Rachel is kept busy with three young sons. In her rare spare time she enjoys reading and exercising.
Daniel Maguire
Co-Head of Lending
Originally hailing from Australia, Dan completed his LLB and practised as a solicitor in Brisbane for a couple of years before taking some time out to travel and work on superyachts. Dan moved to New Zealand in 2014 and worked as a property and commercial lawyer for over 5 years.
Dan joined Simplicity eager to learn from the experienced team and is currently implementing Simplicity’s First Home Loan Mortgage Fund as Head of Lending and Legal.
Sandy Rodrigues
Lending officer
Sandy recently joined Simplicity and is excited about being part of such an amazing organisation who really care about their members and wider community. Sandy relocated to New Zealand in 2017 with her husband and comes from a banking and mortgage broker background. With her experience, she’s able to understand the needs of customers, as well as looking at the bigger picture and ensuring the process of applying for your first home goes smoothly.
In her spare time, she spends it with family and friends and running after two little ones. When she has some time to herself, she loves baking, cake decorating and relaxing with some good music.
Saranya Jayaram
Head of Investor Services
Saranya comes from a banking background with 11 years of customer service experience.
Highly passionate about sustainable living and greatly interested in helping people in all walks of life.
She thoroughly enjoys spending time outdoors either hiking or cycling with husband Ravi and little boy Adi.
Cath Darroch
Deputy Head of Investor Services
Cath joined Simplicity recently and brings 30+ years’ experience in the financial services and mental health sectors. Cath’s career started in banking, before moving into the unit registry business, where she managed the BT Funds Management Ltd retail and wholesale unit registry division.
Cath left BT to have a family, and while raising three kids, continued to work part-time in wealth management before going on to work for a not-for-profit youth focused mental health service for the last 10+ years, in both voluntary and paid roles. She continues to do voluntary work in this field.
Outside of the office, Cath loves spending time with her family and friends, camping, travelling, and watching Formula 1!
Sebastian Neubrandt
Investor Services Manager
Affectionately known as Baz. His enthusiasm for technology led him to study software and website development after a short career in the coffee world.
Leveraging his interpersonal skills along with his technical experience, Baz is able to help improve processes in an already industry-leading customer service team.
Outside of work, Baz loves spending time with his wife and two kids and has a strong passion for fitness, reading, pop culture, history, and tech.
Emma Ryan
Investor Services
Emma was thrilled to join the Simplicity team in 2020 after 5 years in the Financial Services industry, including a PA role for a Financial Adviser and being part of the Communications team at MMC.
With a background in Fitness Coaching and Rowing at a National level, Emma has a variety of skills that she enjoys being able to utilise at Simplicity.
Outside of the office Emma is dedicated to raising her two young daughters and spends any spare time out surfing.
Liam Jackson
Investor Services
Meet Liam, a driven and enthusiastic young professional who joined the Simplicity team in 2022.
Liam is enjoying being part of Simplicity, and hopes to make a positive impact in the finance industry through education and financial literacy projects.
Outside of work, Liam enjoys staying active, traveling, and spends time researching companies to add to his investment portfolio.
Leticia Carneiro
Investor Services
Leticia has been living in New Zealand with her husband since 2018. She migrated from Brazil with an LLB/BA and eight years of finance experience across a number of different fields. Before joining Simplicity Leticia was as an AML/CFT analyst at Christian Savings.
She has a heart for purpose-driven organisations that aim to make a difference in the world. Leticia is passionate about books and hiking, and enjoys camping and spending time relaxing with family and friends.
Angel Carey
Investor Services
Angel previously worked for NZAA for over 10 years in various roles and was then at Heartland Bank for 7 years, starting in investments before moving into reverse mortgages.
She royally obsessed, with all the royal families (not just the UK one), loves the beach, genealogy and the Warriors (even if they are a hard team to support sometimes).
Angel and her husband Andrew have one son who has left home, so they now share their home with a couple of rescue kittens.
Siun McLoughlin
Investor Services
Siun moved over to NZ in 2017 and have worked in the financial industry for over 9 years. She started in the Insurance sector before moving into KiwiSaver and Investments.
She loves anything outdoors and on the water. Siun is a big animal lover and likes to spend time with family and friends.
Pankaj Reddy
Senior Technology Lead
Pankaj has 8 years experience working in Web technologies specialising in developing applications that leverage cloud infrastructure. Responsive apps, and serverless app architectures that scale are his core expertise.
Pankaj’s experience is shaped by challenges in developing applications for Kiwi startups. He loves being part of the startup evolution and success story.
Outside of work, Pankaj enjoys carpentry and growing microgreens.
Elliot Whiley
Senior Software Engineer
Elliot joins Simplicity after 5 years at a Kiwi startup. He brings with him a passion for serverless computing, and helping students enter the software industry.
Elliot is excited to disrupt the finance industry, and provide Kiwis better value for their money.
When not on the keyboard, Elliot loves hiking through New Zealand's beautiful bush with his wife. He also enjoys playing board games with friends.
Carina Cully
UX Designer
Carina has 8 years of digital design experience having worked in this area since arriving in NZ (with family in tow), in 2015. Before that she ran a business and worked in media in London. She’s delighted to work for a company that is so focused on helping others and looks forward to doing her bit - enhancing the user experience through design.
Carina loves all things design and visual arts and spends her spare time painting and drawing, and enjoying the Kiwi culture and lifestyle.
Andrew Winters
Frontend Engineer
I am fire.
I am fury.
I am Frontend Engineer.
Andrew joins Simplicity after 3 years at a Kiwi XaaS company in Unified Communications, bringing with him a drive to provide fantastic user experiences.
Andrew has a passion for music, frequently writing his own multi instrumental compositions and can often be found noodling around on his guitar. He enjoys conserving Aoteoroa’s native flora and fauna, and controlling pests in the native bush around his home.
Aleef Suhaimi
Software Developer
Aleef graduated from Auckland University of Technology, with a Computer and Information Science degree, majoring in Software Development and Computer Science. At university he was a member of the Computer Science Club and participated in Microsoft Student Accelerator programme. He joined Simplicity as a developer aiming to make a positive contribution to the busy tech team.
In his spare time he enjoys physical activities especially football, working out at the gym and training martial arts.
Julie Ah-Chee
People and Culture
Julie has been working in Human Resources and General Management for over 15 years. After completing a degree at Auckland University majoring in Psychology, Education and Japanese language, she moved to Japan and then London for over 10 years working mainly at BP Chemicals.
Julie has had a varied career working in sales, supply chain, account management, human resources and general management within a diverse range of industries.
Julie’s philosophy is to choose staff carefully, build great teams and look after your staff well and then, in return they will look after you and your organisation. Then no HR is required!
Julie is a mum of two adult kids who live in London and Melbourne and a dog.
When Julie is not working you may find her on, in or near water, on the coast or at Lake Taupo always indulging in great food and dreaming of new adventures with friends and whanau!
Independent directors
Joy Marslin
Her corporate roles included Head ANZ Wealth and Westpac Private Wealth Management and Joy has leveraged this experience and currently holds a number of governance roles in addition to her role as Simplicity NZ Ltd Board Chair. These include independent director of Strategi Group, Financial Services Complaints Ltd - Financial Ombudsman service, New Zealand Shareholders Association and Impact Enterprise Fund. In addition she is an independent member of the Metis Investment Committee.
Reuben Halper
Agency Lead at Google New Zealand
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Reuben is responsible for Google's business with New Zealand advertising agencies. Before relocating to New Zealand in late-2015 he spent the previous 6 years with Google UK, first as part of the Zoo, Google's internal creative think tank, then subsequently leading the global Unilever team responsible for working across Unilever's biggest brands.
Reuben has worn many hats in his career including strategist, Emmy-award winning TV producer, creative and production team leader as well as a product manager. Across roles and industries his work has been recognised both internally and externally, including a D&AD award for creative work, Emmy awards for work in TV & digital as well as recognition in the form of a patent for breakthrough broadcast technology.
Mel Hewitson
A professional director with board memberships of Fidelity Life Assurance, Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei Whai Maia, Foundation North, Domain Name Commission and Housing Foundation.
Mel brings relevant skills and alignment with Simplicity’s commitment to investors' interests, developed from her former leadership roles at the Financial Markets Authority and investment management firms with strong fiduciary cultures.
She is a Chartered Member of the Institute of Directors, an Accredited Investment Fiduciary, holds Climate Competent Board Certification and has degrees in Business (Masters), Economics and Japanese. Mel was made a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for Services to Governance in the 2022 New Year's Honours List.
Anna Tierney
A Chartered Accountant for twenty years in both the public and private sectors. She has a strong history in specialising in the areas of Fraud and Risk through her experience as a forensic accountant at the Serious Fraud Office and Ernst & Young.
Anna has also held an appointment with the Real Estate Agents Authority (REAA) as an original Member of the Complaints Assessment Committee, and has worked in London for Schroders and Morgan Stanley.
Chris Teeling
Executive Advisor Growth - LawVu
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Chris has deep experience and a passion for scaling businesses. He has had an extensive career in technology centered businesses and with international investment banking. His broad background brings a unique perspective and ability to turn complex challenges into well governed and executed plans for boards, leaders and founders.
Over the last 10 years Chris has helped build and lead two globally successful companies; GreenButton, a cloud based technology company acquired by Microsoft Corporation and Xero Limited.
Our employment policies
We want Simplicity to be the best place to work, giving team members really satisfying careers, with purpose and fun %)
We embrace diversity and job flexibility. Our team can work wherever and however is best for them.
All of our team are paid fair salaries, get six weeks holiday, free public transport, and Simplicity contributes 10% to their KiwiSaver.
Trustees
Simplicity is 100% owned by the Simplicity Foundation, which chooses the charities that receive donations.
Sam Stubbs
Ex CEO Tower Investments
Rachel Taylor
Partner DLA Piper
Ngapera Riley
CEO at Figure NZ
Marisa Fong
Entrepreneur, Co-founder TBC Partners
Amanda Morrall
Simplicity co-founder and personal finance expert
Frances Arns (she/her)
LGBTIQA+ advocate, strategy and experience designer