Top economist and Google exec to join Simplicity board

Top economist and Google exec to join Simplicity board

Economist Shamubeel Eaqub and senior Google executive Reuben Halper have agreed to join the board of directors of KiwiSaver Simplicity, reflecting its rapid growth and online, disruptive business model.

“These appointments cement Simplicity’s disruptor status in the NZ financial markets, with its nonprofit, online business model giving KiwiSavers the lowest fees, by far,” said managing director Sam Stubbs.

“We are delighted to have such high calibre directors join the Simplicity team,’ said Stubbs. “They’ll further assist us in disrupting the NZ investment market to give KiwiSavers and investors a much better deal.”

“The appointment of Shamubeel, a highly regarded, independent economist, and Reuben, an expert in the use of technology to disrupt old fashioned business models, are strong votes of confidence in Simplicity.”

Eaqub and Halper join Simplicity directors Joy Marslin, and Kirsty Campbell and replace former directors Mark Fitzgerald and Jenene Crossan. Crossan, a technology entrepreneur, is joining the Simplicity Charitable Trust along with newcomer Michelle Boag, a public relations veteran.

Shamubeel Eaqub

Shamubeel is an experienced economist, financial analyst and author. He has worked in various banks and consultancies in New Zealand and Australia.

He currently balances a portfolio of activities: consulting through Sense Partners, a boutique economic consultancy; various governance and advisory roles for charities, SMEs and CCOs; columnist for Fairfax and the Sunday Star Times.

He holds a BCOM(Hons) in Economics from Lincoln University and is also a Chartered Financial Analyst. He has authored several books – the most recent are Generation Rent and Growing Apart. Shamubeel lives in Auckland with wife, Selena, and son, Haydn.

Reuben Halper

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 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.

Jenene Crossan

Jenene is the founder and CEO of Flossie, an Intelligent Assistant / Intermediary which utilises machine-learning to match consumers hair and beauty service needs to salons with available inventory. She is considered one of NZ’s leading and original tech entrepreneurs.

Michelle Boag

Michelle is one of New Zealand's most experienced public affairs and communications specialists. She is a partner in Strategic Communications Consultancy Boag Allan SvG, based in Auckland. Michelle has had a high profile career in public relations and politics, along with extensive involvement with a wide range of community, voluntary and professional associations. Her specific areas of expertise are in reputation management, strategic communications planning and implementation, and government relations.

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