Couillault maps out Hobson's path

The public can expect to hear a lot more from the recently re-branded Hobson Wealth Partners in 2017 as it seeks to promote itself to a broader investment audience - and grow it's client base.

The former Macquarie Private Wealth NZ business manages $2 billion dollars on behalf of 7,000 clients, and is now charting a new course under executive director Warren Couillault who joined forces with more than 20 staff to buy a majority stake from Australia's Macquarie Group which retains a cornerstone shareholding.

"There's nothing like that equity ownership as a great way to focus a team and drive a business" says Couillault, who spent six years at Fisher Funds prior to his departure in 2008 and who retains shareholdings in Generate Funds and the privately-owned Richmond Investment Management.

Couillault says he's "pretty fortunate" to have taken the reins of a business with an established management team under chief executive Laurence Fitzpatrick "who knows the business in and out", leaving him free to "improve the experience for clients" and make the business bigger and better.