Media Release
June 7 2006
In a challenging market Deloitte continues to recognize talent
While overall the New Zealand economy may be heading for more challenging conditions talent always shines through.
Consistent with this Deloitte, one of the largest professional services firms has appointed seven new equity partners in
the past 12 months in recognition of their talent and the Firm’s success and commitment to meeting clients’ needs.
Deloitte Chief Executive Murray Jack says that while the Government needs to refocus its efforts to help address the
competitiveness of the New Zealand economy, major corporates and large organisations also have a vital role to play in
keeping the economy on track by securing and deploying the skills of the most talented people in the country.
“There is ample evidence that our major trading partners are improving their economies relative to ours. New Zealand
business doesn’t need welfare but it will find it increasingly hard to compete if our economic environment makes other
countries more attractive for talent and the location of business operations,” says Murray Jack.
“Our 2006 appointments to partnership are indicative of our decision to continue to develop our peoples’ talent, a key
challenge for all leading organisations.”
“This is a time for pre-emptive action - the continued drain of talent to overseas markets is a constant reality for all
major employers in New Zealand, and we believe that to remain a compelling employer for talented staff recognising
success through promotion and advancement is doubly important” says Murray Jack.
“Our new partners strengthen the Firm’s capabilities and capacity within a variety of service areas as each individual
brings a significant breadth of experience and expertise to their role.”
New partners
- Faris Azimullah has become a partner in Auckland specialising in Enterprise Risk Services and joined the Firm in 1992.
Faris has worked in Audit and various management consultancy areas within Deloitte NZ and Atlanta. He specialises in
Information Systems Assurance, including all aspects of automation that will be required for the IS and non-IS
components of internal audit work. He has over ten years experience in information systems auditing and governance, and
leads teams of professionals to deliver specialist IT audit and project quality assurance services
- Dave Farrelly based in Wellington is a Partner specialising in Enterprise Risk Services. In 1996 he joined the
Deloitte Christchurch office and later was seconded to San Francisco and Portland. He has over ten years experience
specialising in the areas of risk and assurance consulting, risk management, information system and financial auditing,
information security consulting, internal audit and project quality assurance.
- Bill Hale is a new partner in the Auckland tax practice and started at Deloitte in the Graduate Programme in 1995. He
has more than ten years specialist tax experience which included a secondment to client premises to assist in the
managing of an Inland Revenue Department audit. He has spent significant time practicing with the Deloitte Growth
Solutions and Corporate Finance service lines focusing on delivering Deloitte global knowledge to the SME market.
- Andrew Hirst is a partner who has recently joined Deloitte Corporate Finance’s Auckland practice after 12 years in
investment banking in New Zealand and the UK. Andrew has a wealth of mergers and acquisitions experience, and prior to
re-joining Deloitte has held senior positions with ABN AMRO, Deutsche Bank, Hill Samuel (UK) and Southpac. Most recently
he was a Director of Investment Banking and the Head of Equity Capital Markets at ABN AMRO New Zealand, and was involved
in a number of IPOs, placements and other capital raisings.
- Matt McKendry is a new partner based in Auckland focusing on growth oriented services to small-medium sized
businesses. Matt joined Deloitte in 2002 after a period of working in the UK where he was involved with the
establishment of an Internet start-up venture. Currently Matt manages the Deloitte involvement in the New Zealand Trade
and Enterprise Escalator programme which assists emerging businesses in gaining access to capital investment. He also
specialises in financial modeling and forecasting, business planning, Internet technology and assisting early stage
ventures progress both nationally and internationally, by developing growth strategies.
- Rodger Murphy is the lead partner of the Firm’s Auckland Enterprise Risk Services practice. His experience includes 10
years in audit and risk management areas within Deloitte in New Zealand, Canada and the United States. He also has 12
years experience in the financial services industry in various senior management and governance roles. Rodger’s
professional focus includes internal and external audit assignments in the retail, manufacturing, financial services and
property sectors.
- Jamie Schmidt heads the Audit and Assurance Services nationally. Jamie returned to the New Zealand practice in 2005
having worked in the London practice for a number of years. He joined the London partnership in 2001 as partner in the
Assurance and Advisory practice where he served multinational clients and acted as a quality assurance audit partner.
His clients benefit from his strong experience in due diligence, expert testimony and merger and acquisition matters.
Ends.