About - Welcome

Get to Know Us

We'll Take You Further.

We all love options - choosing different ways we want to live as we move through life. We're here to help create those options with better returns on term deposits and flexible mortgage finance - from real people who really care.

SAY HELLO

We're Welcome and so are You.

We’re the first Non-bank Deposit Taker to be granted a licence by the Reserve Bank of New Zealand – Te Pūtea Matua (RBNZ) in nearly a decade. That’s important, because it means you have a Kiwi-owned option managed by locals, that gives you choice, transparency and fully secured, better than bank returns. No investments heading overseas. No complicated nonsense. Just highly trusted people with serious experience and your interests at heart.

Welcome might be a new player, but our team isn’t. They’re experienced, respected people who know their stuff and turn that knowledge into better returns and growth for you. We’re well-capitalised, licensed by the RBNZ and the Financial Markets Authority (FMA), and independently supervised.

But the real difference is that we make finance human. We’re keen to make a genuine connection so you can make confident, intelligent choices.

Meet Our Team.

Chief Executive

Anton Douglas

With more than 30 years of experience across credit, portfolio management, capital markets, and non-bank lending in emerging markets, Anton brings deep industry expertise and leadership to Welcome.

Following an extensive international career as a managing director with a leading global investment bank and asset manager across Europe, Asia, and the United States, Anton returned to New Zealand in 2017. He subsequently served as CEO of an FMA-licensed fund manager and non-bank mortgage lender, and later as a non-executive director of an RBNZ-licensed Non-bank Deposit Taker.

Anton moved to Welcome in 2024 with the aim of delivering a more client-centric, innovative, and responsible approach to mortgage lending in New Zealand.

Relationship Manager

Sandy Gernhoefer

With over 30 years' financial services experience, Sandy has built a strong reputation as a trusted and client-focused Relationship Manager. With a notable tenure at a funds management company and three decades in banking, Sandy has an in-depth knowledge of investment, commercial analysis, and financial administration.

Passionate about connecting with her clients, Sandy takes pride in understanding their unique financial goals and empowering them to realise their investment potential. Her commitment to delivering exceptional service has helped countless individuals through their financial journeys, enabling them to make informed, successful investment decisions with confidence.

Get in touch with Sandy: 027 880 5287

Business Development Manager

Jen Latham

Jen brings a wealth of experience in specialist lending and a track record of helping advisors access alternative mortgage solutions across New Zealand.

Jen loves a challenge and dealing with all kinds of scenarios. She excels at thinking outside the box, and workshopping deals to find the right solution. With extensive experience in business development, she loves nothing more than trouble shooting to get a scenario across the line.

Jen is passionate about building strong partnerships with advisors and aggregators, delivering outstanding service. Her practical, friendly and down-to-earth approach makes working with her both easy and enjoyable and has been key to her building strong relationships and delivering successful outcomes.

Get in touch with Jen: 027 242 5953

Head of Credit

Miles Standeaven

Miles is a seasoned financial services leader with more than 18 years’ corporate and non-bank lending experience, gained in Australia and New Zealand. Miles brings a wealth of experience in credit risk, commercial lending and portfolio management.

He is passionate about fostering high-performing teams and integrating system enhancements to drive long term business efficiency and scalability.

Miles holds a Bachelor of Science (Statistics) from the University of Auckland and Level 5 Certificate in Financial Services (Residential Property Lending). Miles is on the Board of Trustees for Greenmeadows Primary School.

Senior Loan Analyst

Wendy Babe

Wendy brings over 20 years of financial expertise spanning New Zealand, Australia, and the UK. She began her career with a major New Zealand bank, building a strong foundation in customer service, finance, and lending. After time in the UK, she spent 13 years with leading non-bank lenders in Sydney and New Zealand before joining Welcome.

Known for her practical approach, deep industry knowledge, analytical insight, and genuine commitment to helping people achieve their financial goals, Wendy combines global experience with local insight, making her a trusted and respected analyst in the lending space.

Get in touch with Wendy: 06 650 7408

Loan Support Officer

Matt Wallis

With a career spanning over a decade in the finance industry, Matt specialised in loan support early on.

Since then, he has built broad experience across various financial sectors, including managing teams for customer onboarding in livestock finance and reverse mortgages.

With a customer-focused mindset, Matt works closely with brokers and lawyers to deliver effective results and positive outcomes for customers.

Chief Financial Officer

James Tod

James is a qualified chartered accountant with more than 12 years’ experience. James began his career in tax at one of the Big Four accountancy firms before moving into the corporate world, where he has thrived on working across the business and engaging with key stakeholders and the Board.

When the opportunity arose to join the team at Welcome, James jumped at the chance to help bring a better financial offering to the market. He embraces challenges, and the complexities of the financial services sector provide exactly that, along with the opportunity to make a meaningful impact.

Risk & Compliance Officer

Rachel Terry

With over 18 years’ experience in Financial Services, Rachel believes in doing the right thing to achieve good client and organisational outcomes. She specialises in turning regulatory requirements into practical, workable solutions that strengthen governance and build trust.

Known for her accountability, down to earth communication, and collaborative style, Rachel partners with stakeholders and regulators to deliver results that last. Her curiosity and strategic mindset ensure compliance is not just about meeting obligations but creating long-term value.

Meet Our Board.

Chair

Tracey Jones

Tracey Jones is an accomplished independent non-executive director with over 25 years of boardroom experience across financial services, technology, investment, property, and consumer sectors.

She currently chairs Nikko Asset Management NZ and holds directorships at Stride Property Group, Partners Life Ltd, and others.

With a strong focus on compliance and enhancing customer outcomes, she brings a wealth of expertise to her governance roles.

Director

Anton Douglas

Anton brings over 30 years of financial services experience in New Zealand and international markets, offering Welcome a valuable blend of global insight and local expertise.

Before joining Welcome, Anton held senior executive roles with a major international bank and asset manager. Upon returning to New Zealand in 2017, he served as CEO of an FMA-licensed fund manager and later a non-executive director of an RBNZ-licensed Non-Bank Deposit Taker.

Anton is a Trustee of the IHC Foundation and a member of the New Zealand Institute of Directors.

Director

Sarah Smith

Sarah is a Financial Services professional with over 30 years’ experience, 15 of which have been in executive roles.

With extensive experience in business development, digital transformation, strategic development and risk management, Sarah is focussed on delivering great customer outcomes.

Currently a Director of Partners Life Ltd and Farmers Mutual Group, Sarah has a strong working knowledge of the regulatory requirements within the Financial Services sector.

Director

Hamish Frame

Hamish has enjoyed a 30+ year career in management and leadership roles within the banking and financial sector.

He is currently a Director at Tumu, a diversified New Zealand family-owned business, and the major shareholder in Welcome.

Hamish brings broad experience across executive and governance responsibilities spanning property investment, financial services, and private capital investment to our Welcome board.

Advisory Board Member

Mark Jephson

Mark has over 25 years of experience in the financial and fiduciary services industry and is currently a Partner at Mosaic FSI, a boutique financial services consultancy.

Throughout his career, Mark has held executive leadership roles at New Zealand’s top corporate trustee and licensed supervisor.

Mark brings a unique and practical understanding of New Zealand’s capital markets and wealth management industry. His valuable expertise spans the competitive, operational, and regulatory environments.

Advisory Board Member

Gareth Fleming

After spending 20 years as a senior banking executive, Gareth then spent the next 10 years establishing and scaling up a successful group of fund administration and investment distribution businesses including Fundrock NZ and InvestNow Savings & Investments NZ.

Following the sale of these businesses, he established a bespoke consultancy business alongside growing an alternative asset, investment management businesses in NZ.

Gareth brings his deep governance and leadership experience across multiple business models to Welcome, and we look forward to leveraging both his strategic and commercial insights, as well as his extensive network of relationships across the NZ financial services landscape.

READY TO JOIN US?

We'd love to Welcome you on board.

Let's Get Started