Getting to Know: Trisha Edmonds

Who are you and what do you do?

I have been in the financial services industry for over 27 years, the last 18 in roles with Armstrong Jones, ING, OnePath and currently ANZ Investments. Since joining the company 17 years ago, I have continued to work with a number of the same colleagues in the company, including the majority of the ANZ Investments team throughout four ownership changes. I am the Head of Advisory Distribution Funds and with my team work closely with over 500 external Authorised Financial Advisers throughout New Zealand. We have a range of KiwiSaver, Multi Asset and Single Asset funds under our OneAnswer range, complemented by our wrap offering, OneAnswer Portfolio Service. I am very relationship-focused and have a long-term passion to help financial advisers exceed expectations and stay relevant for tomorrow. I am a firm believer that all New Zealanders should be able to access financial advice, particularly with the success of KiwiSaver over the past 10 years. We work with the best financial advisers in New Zealand and have honest and respected relationships with each of them. Life is busy and exciting and I would have it no other way. 

On the personal side, I am a proud one-eyed Cantabrian, born to parochial parents from the West Coast of the South Island and farming/racehorse breeding country in Gore, Southland. While I love to travel, NZ is the place for me and Canterbury in particular. Now Canterbury has come through its challenges, I’m excited  by the wonderful, diverse and modern city Christchurch is on track to become. I have one married daughter and a brand new adorable granddaughter who I am truly besotted with.

If there was one thing you would like to change about the financial advice industry, what would it be?

I get very concerned and disappointed when I see advisers constantly bad mouthing each other and putting the financial services industry in disrepute…… some more than others! After all, isn’t our primary focus to ensure that all New Zealanders should be receiving quality and sound financial advice, not to publicly debate and abuse each other’s rights to express opinions? We want the profession to be respected and we won’t achieve that if we are publicly bickering and fighting.

What's the best advice you have ever received?

One bit of advice that I received from a now ex-CEO was to always work closely on solutions with staff, peers and colleagues and where all else failed, ask this simple question - “What can I do to help you achieve the best end result?" I often ask myself that question in my daily role.

What's one thing you'd like advisers to understand about what you do?