Bernie jets into Newpark role

Newpark, which lost its chief executive last week, has appointed two new directors.

Friday, March 13th 2020, 4:35PM

Bernie McCrea

Joining the board is well-known industry figure Bernie McCrea. McCrea has been involved in financial services for 30 years and was formerly AIA New Zealand general manager. He has also worked in senior executive roles at Sovereign and other companies in the funds management, mortgage, banking and insurance industries.

He is the founder of a start-up financial services enterprise and runs his own consulting company. McCrea has been a mentor to many young managers working their way up the corporate ladder.

He is a senior fellow of the Financial Institute of Australia (FINSIA), chariman of FINSIA's New Zealand council and is an AFA.

Naveed Balouch is the second new director. He is a former commercial pilot and "corporate warrior". Newpark describes him as "a transformational leader having created market leadership, business value and sustainable growth in multiple challenging markets and industries."

Just over a year ago he created Home Advantage, a company designed to provide Kiwis with easy access to financial planning and advice services with a view to help improve financial wellbeing.

"At Home Advantage, we work alongside a team of top financial planning and investment professionals who are standing by to help you achieve your financial goals. This includes leading financial advisers, tax consultants, solicitors, property specialists and wealth creation coaches."

"It is a travesty that 85 % of hard working Kiwis are in financial strife at the time of retirement. And this malaise effects all parts of society; you have doctors, engineers and even chartered accountants - who after working for 40 years, paying their taxes diligently, raising families and still finding time to volunteer, find out that the superannuation is a pittance and won't afford a reasonable quality of life for the 20 + years on average they have after retirement," he says on his LinkedIn profile.

Tags: Newpark