Meet the team

Anton Douglas
Chief Executive
Anton Douglas
With more than 30 years of financial services experience in credit, mortgage lending, portfolio management and capital 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.
Helena Weir
Chief Financial Officer
Helena Weir
Helena is an ICAEW Chartered Accountant with more than 12 years' experience in finance. She began her career in London with a Big Four firm, auditing banks and capital markets businesses, before moving into corporate finance across advisory, valuations and due diligence, and then into an in-house finance leadership role.

Helena was drawn to Welcome as a New Zealand-owned business giving Kiwis another trusted option to save, invest and borrow. With a practical, hands-on approach, she is focused on supporting Welcome's continued growth through responsible financial management and strong governance, delivering real value for depositors and borrowers.
Miles Standeaven
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.
Rachel Terry
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.
Sandy Gernhoefer
Investment 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 on 027 880 5287
Matt Wallis
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.
Wendy Babe
Senior Loan Analyst/ BDM - Central & Lower North Island
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 on 06 650 7408
Jen Latham
BDM - North Island
Jen Latham
Jen brings a wealth of experience in specialist lending and a track record of helping advisers 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 advisers 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 on 027 242 5953
Tim McIlwrick
BDM - South Island
Tim McIlwrick
Tim is an experienced business development and relationship management professional with a strong background in banking and leadership coaching. With more than a decade working with business customers and advisers across New Zealand, Tim has built a reputation for being collaborative, customer-focused, and genuinely committed to making things easier for the people he supports.

Before joining Welcome, Tim held senior roles at major banks, where he coached leaders, managed high value business portfolios, and strengthened adviser relationships. His ability to influence, simplify processes, and lift performance has been a consistent theme in his career.

Based in Christchurch, Tim is committed to supporting advisers with practical insights, responsive service, and a genuine desire to make doing business easier.

Get in touch with Tim on 027 230 3160

Meet our board.

Tracey Jones
Chair
Tracey Jones
Tracey is a seasoned professional specialising in governance, with extensive experience spanning the financial services, technology, investment, property, consumer, public, and not-for-profit sectors. Tracey has held diverse roles across businesses of varying sizes.

Currently, Tracey holds key positions such as Chair of Amova Asset Management NZ Ltd, Director and Chair of the Audit Committee for Partners Life, Director of NZX-listed Stride Property Group, and Director and Chair of the Audit & Risk Committee for Keith Andrews Holdings.

Her previous board roles include serving on the boards of ASX-listed Harmoney Corp, where she chaired the Audit and Risk Committee, New Plymouth PIF Guardians Ltd, the Petal Foundation, and Punakaiki Fund.

With over two decades of experience in the investment sector and ultra-high-net-worth environments, Tracey spent a significant portion of her career as CFO & COO at one of New Zealand’s largest private investment portfolios. She holds a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Canterbury, is a Chartered Accountant, and is a member of both the Chartered Accountants of Australia & New Zealand and the NZ Institute of Directors.
Anton Douglas
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.
Sarah Smith
Director
Sarah Smith
Sarah is an accomplished Financial Services professional with more than 30 years of industry experience, including over two decades in senior leadership roles across Insurance, Banking, and Technology. She brings extensive expertise in governance, business development, digital transformation, strategic planning, and risk management, with a strong commitment to delivering exceptional customer outcomes.

She currently serves as an Independent Director of Farmers Mutual Group Ltd and as the Independent Chair of the Audit and Risk Committee at Consilium Ltd. Sarah has a comprehensive understanding of regulatory frameworks and compliance obligations within the Financial Services sector.

Sarah is also a Chartered Member of the Institute of Directors
Hamish Frame
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.
Mark Jephson
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.
Gareth Fleming
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 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.
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  1. For Kiwis Going Places

    Kiwis have always had an adventurous streak – making plans, exploring new possibilities and looking for better ways to move forward.

     

    Welcome was created in that same spirit, offering deposit and lending options designed to sit alongside the savings, investments and banking relationships you already trust.

  2. We’re a New Zealand-owned, Hawke’s Bay-based licensed deposit taker, combining competitive investment returns with the added confidence of the Reserve Bank’s Depositor Compensation Scheme protection.

     

    Our fresh approach to New Zealand mortgage lending is built on strong relationships with mortgage advisers nationwide.

  3. Because going further does not always mean changing direction. Sometimes, it means adding the right option for the journey ahead.

     

    We’re the welcome addition to the way New Zealanders save, invest and borrow.

     

    Welcome Aboard!

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Open your account online or talk to our team about your options.