Change is a constant in KiwiSaver providers

KiwiSaver scheme Kiwi Wealth braces for a restructure as new owners Fisher Funds look to integrate leadership teams.

Restructuring has become a fairly common term in business talk, and the KiwiSaver industry is no outlier.

Impact of Leadership Changes on KiwiSaver Providers

Last year Fisher Funds acquired Kiwi Banks’ KiwiSaver Scheme, Kiwi Wealth. Fisher Funds then became the third largest KiwiSaver provider, with $14 Billion in assets under management, behind ANZ and ASB.  

Fisher Funds has just released a statement acknowledging that “the first step of the integration is the establishment of a single leadership team under Fisher Funds chief executive Bruce McLachlan assuming responsibility for the continued delivery of great outcomes for Kiwi Wealth and Fisher Funds clients.” 

Therefore, Kiwi Wealth CEO Rhiannon McKinnon, chief investment officer Steffan Berridge, chief technology officer Craig Ward and chief customer Officer Morne Redgard have all been made redundant, with chief operating officer Craig Holloway staying on for a further year to support the transition. In short, the executive team is no more. This is a significant change for the KiwiSaver scheme and may well relate to further changes in the performance of Kiwi Wealth funds.

Kiwi Wealth was founded by economist Gareth Morgan and Andrew Gawith in August 2000.

Investing During Change: National Capital’s KiwiSaver Research Approach

Whilst this change has been well covered in the media, many of our KiwiSaver providers are constantly undergoing changes in the background. Leadership, management, and staffing changes can lead to shifts in a fund’s performance, such as changes in fees and investment strategies. There’s a lot to monitor, and who has time for that? We do. It’s part of what makes our independent service so important.

This is where the importance of thorough and regular research comes in. National Capital follows an Investment Selection Process built on six key pillars. In acquisitions, such as the Fisher Funds – Kiwi Wealth situation, we focus on two pillars: ‘Organisational Capability’ and ‘Organisational Stability.’

The National Capital Investment Committee, which is responsible for approving our final KiwiSaver selections, assesses the stability of the KiwiSaver fund managers by evaluating the potential impacts of staffing changes. We know that when investment decision-makers leave or join, it can provoke significant shifts in performance.

Our research and advice also consider the capabilities of the leadership team and the resources at their disposal. Who is managing your money? We assess their experience, expertise, and professional values to provide a more holistic view of the providers we recommend.

While change is inevitable, the investments in your KiwiSaver must remain resilient and avoid any negative impacts from organisational shifts. Extensive research is required—and for good reason. At National Capital, our service doesn’t stop at advice; we continue to work diligently behind the scenes, researching and reviewing our clients’ KiwiSaver investments so that you can have #onelessmoneyworry.

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