Bennetts Financial Services Limited has been providing a high level of professional service to Southlanders since 1989 and is recognised as one of Southland's leading financial planning firms. Each of our advisers brings a unique view and set of skills to the table, offering a complete range of investment advice, insurance advice, sharebroking and financial planning services across the greater Southland and Otago regions.
Mr Richard Bennett (ABS, ANZIM, AREINZ, Dip Bus, CPF)
Richard (Ricky) Bennett is one of the New Zealand financial advisory industry’s most recognisable figures, having worked in the industry since 1977.
Ricky graduated in May 1995 from Massey University with a Diploma in Business Studies endorsed in Financial Planning. His achievements in the financial services sector were reinforced in November 2003 when he was awarded the NZ Financial Planner of the Year and then again in 2005 when Bennetts won the inaugural Financial Advisory Practice of the Year.
Ricky is a born and bred Southlander. His involvement in the finance industry in Southland includes being a director and the chairman of Southland Finance Limited and current member, plus past president, of the Southland Institute of Financial Advisers. He is involved in investment planning at a national level, through ING NZ Ltd, being a member of The Private Portfolio Service investment committee. Ricky is a Certified Financial Planner (CFP).
Mr Clive Thompson (ALU)
Our experienced insurance specialist, Clive Thompson, was recently asked to consult on the development of ground-breaking business management software for the industry, something he’s undertaking while also handling a large client list.
Bennetts is one of the few New Zealand financial adviser practices to offer a dedicated insurance specialist inhouse, and Clive is available to all of our clients for insurance advice. Having worked 11 years for Royal and SunAlliance (now Asteron), he joined Bennetts Financial Services in July 2002.
Clive has demonstrated his resourcefulness in his music interests, having produced his own CD in 2006, to raise money for Rotary charities. He is an Associate Life Underwriter of the Institute of Financial Advisers.
Ms Liz Young (AFP, B Technology (Food) Hons)
Liz is one of our most experienced advisers, being both a member of the national body and serving on the regional committee of the Institute of Financial Advisers. Liz joined Bennetts in September 2000 following a career in project management, bringing with her a range of skills which translate directly to investment planning.
Her career has taken her from business projects in Dubai to the trading floor of the New York Stock exchange. She is a keen traveller and likes to see the world by foot, having recently hiked through Liguria in northeastern Italy. Liz achieved her Associate Financial Planner (AFP) qualification status in 2004 and intends to complete the Diploma in Personal Financial Planning through Massey University to become a Certified Financial Planner (CFP).
Mr Anthony O’Connor (Dip Bus, NZSE Dip)
Anthony offers clients a very diverse view of investing. He arrived at Bennetts in 2004 with a Diploma in Business Studies from Massey and a background in sharebroking from ABN AMRO Craigs.
Anthony is also a taxation specialist having worked as a consultant for both Cook Adam & Co and the Inland Revenue Department. With boundless energy for both work and play, Anthony enjoys mountain biking and has a growing interest in horse racing. Ever keen to add to his skills, he is studying towards becoming a Certified Financial Planner (CFP) and is a member of the Institute of Financial Advisers.
Mr Graeme Kruger (Nat Dip, PRCert, Nat H Dip)
Graeme moved to New Zealand with his wife Jackie and their two children from South Africa in 1997. Now New Zealand citizens, they have quickly ingrained themselves in Southland with Jackie currently serving as a councilor on the Invercargill City Council. Graeme has a New Zealand equivalent of a Bachelor of Technical Science degree with majors in Science and Human Resource Management.
His leadership, business acumen and relationship management skills have seen him operate very successfully at a senior management level, most especially in general management, operations and marketing. Known for his passion and energy, Graeme loves to overcome challenges. Graeme is a member of the Institute of Financial Advisers.
Mr Craig Cunninghame (B Com, CA, AFP)
One of two qualified chartered accountants on Bennetts team and also the company CFO, Craig advises clients on business issues as well as personal portfolio management. Previously, he was Chief Financial Officer for an Australian listed company based in Papua New Guinea.
Craig is a member of the Institute of Financial Advisers and has achieved his current status of Associate Financial Planner, while studying for a Diploma in Personal Financial Planning through Massey University, to become a Certified Financial Planner (CFP). Craig takes a keen interest in the appreciating value of classic motorcycles and cars.
He is also involved in Rotary, having served as the Treasurer for the Invercargill Sunrise Rotary Club, and is currently the Treasurer for the Southland Branch of the Institute of Financial Advisers.
Mrs Dianne Logan
A consummate professional with strong people skills, Dianne is both an adviser and the General Manager of Bennetts. Dianne completed a 20 year career with the Inland Revenue Department in tax technical and senior management positions, followed by a further 6 years at Cook Adam & Co where she managed four company sites, 120 staff and advised clients on human resources matters.
Taking up responsibility for her husband’s clients after his tragic death in 2005, Dianne quickly established herself as a resourceful and integral part of the senior management team. Dianne hails from a farming background in Pukerau, where her family still farms. She is an avid art collector and foodie whose interests have also nurtured a love of travel.
Dianne is a member of the Institute of Management as well as the Institute of Financial Advisers and she intends to pursue formal financial planning qualifications.
Mr Denis Woods (B Com (Ag), CA)
For the investor who has spent a lifetime in farming, Denis Woods is likely to be the ideal adviser as he is a local Winton farm owner, a qualified chartered accountant, with an agricultural degree and a background in farm management. Previously he was the Director of Financial Planning at Cook Adam & Co.
Denis joined Bennetts in October 2005. With a love of running, Denis believes no-one should stand still for long, and is a firm believer that retirement never happens – you just find new things to interest you. He has completed a Diploma in Business Studies (Personal Financial Planning) through Massey University and is progressing towards becoming a Certified Financial Planner (CFP). He is a member of the Institute of Financial Advisers.