Highland Group attracted to Share structure

Media release August10 2008

Highland Group attracted to Share structure

The Highland Group, one of New Zealand’s largest and most respected financial advisory businesses, is joining Share.

Bronwyn Shanks, General Manager of Share, says The Highland Group is a strong cultural fit in that it is committed to best practice, professional development and acting in the best interests of clients.

“The Highland Group has a heritage of equipping its advisers with the knowledge to grow and protect their clients’ wealth and to grow their own businesses,” Ms Shanks says. “That’s a perfect fit with our ethos of ‘growth through knowledge’.”

Richard Thomas, of The Highland Group, says the corporate structure of Share is market leading and future proofs members at a time when financial advisers face changes to the way they operate.

Share recently launched out of the 15-year-old Apex Financial Services Group, after a far reaching review by industry consultant Darrin Franks in association with the group’s board. Faced with industry consolidation, the increasing use of technology to modernize and manage the business, and changes to regulation that demand transparency and compliance, the review resulted in a new distribution group now called Share.

“Share – growth through knowledge” is being adopted as the new brand by all group members and its name and logo will appear on offices and become part of all members’ business collateral.

The Highland Group established in 1999 becomes Share’s Otago member. Ms Shanks says since news about the group has spread, advisers and groups like The Highland Group have approached Share to examine its structures and the benefits that come with its economies of scale and nationwide brand. Share provides its members valuable tools in areas including technology, education, advice processes and marketing, she says.

Ms Shanks says the financial advisory sector has seen a lot of consolidation in the past couple of years, with a growing interest in NZ firms from large offshore players. The Share model is offering a real option for members to retain New Zealand style independence, yet gain the benefits of operational efficiency and being part of a like-minded group.

“Advisers like what they see and we are in the fortunate position of attracting quality businesses such as The Highland Group.

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