FNZC no longer

Investment and advisory firm FNZC is rebranding from the middle of this year.

Tuesday, March 19th 2019, 6:00AM

Ron Jarden

It will be known as Jarden, after its founder, Ron Jarden.

The firm said it wanted to unify under a common purpose and brand.

It offers a range of services within investment banking, capital solutions and wealth services. Its wealth business has grown significantly in recent years to serve more than 50,000 New Zealanders including family trusts, entrepreneurs, iwi groups, farmers and individuals.

The breadth of the firm's capital solutions group has also grown, with investments in 2017 into Principal Investments, which provides access to capital for small to mid-scale companies and their shareholders; and Pearlfisher, which offers non-bank property finance lending. These investments, along with the firm's 2018 acquisitions of OMF and Direct Broking, led to the decision to review the firm’s brand strategy.

“We’ve grown our footprint over the past few years with new offerings, client types and geographies, and we wanted a name that reflects the group’s collective purpose which is delivering great outcomes for all our clients," said chief executive James Lee.

“Our brand is more than how we look from the outside in, it’s about embracing the future of our firm, our people and alumni. It’s about holding ourselves accountable to our values of client focus, thought leadership, respect and excellence.”

Executive chairman Bill Trotter said: “The return to the Jarden name honours our nearly 60-year history and the original idea that started it all to create New Zealand’s leading independent investment and advisory group. Ron Jarden, a stockbroker, businessman and All Black, founded the firm R.A. Jarden & Co in 1961. Since then, the firm and the local and global financial landscape have changed significantly, yet Ron’s commitment to delivering the best possible outcomes for clients remains a pillar of the firm’s work.”

After Jarden's death in 1977, the team known as the "Jarden boys" - Bryan Johnson, John Benton, David Wale and the late Keith Taylor - carried on his vision, continuing to lead the firm’s stellar growth and performance.

“We’re conscious that as well as being a name that represents New Zealand’s commercial history, Jarden is also a family name, so we were delighted that Ron’s family were supportive of our decision to rename the firm Jarden,” Trotter said.

FNZC has offices throughout Auckland, Cambridge, Havelock North, Wellington, Nelson, Christchurch and Queenstown. The new name and brand will be rolled out across all areas of the business from mid-year. It will remain business as usual for clients during this time.

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