Alison Payne
Chief Operating Officer
As Chief Operating Officer, Alison's key focus is on delivering a great customer experience across all of Booster's platforms. She oversees and coordinates multi-disciplinary teams to deliver on key strategic outcomes. Alison has worked in a range of different industries, including investment banking in the UK and the NZ Electricity Market.
“We care about our clients as individuals. We'll go out of our way to assist and educate, and that's something that drives me to deliver the best experience possible.”
Diana Papadopoulos
Marketing Strategist
Di leads our marketing vision. Her strategic focus is on bringing Booster’s story to New Zealanders - ensuring everything we do is customer-centric, relevant and reflective of Booster’s ethos. Prior to joining Booster, Di worked for BP for 11 years, working across operations, marketing, external affairs and planning and performance.
“My job is to make sure we’re doing the things that really help people get on top of their financial game. I want to help more people achieve financial security.”
Allan Yeo
Managing Director
Allan formed Booster Financial Services in 1998, looking to give New Zealanders a financial services company that was locally owned and true to Kiwi values.
Allan’s overarching ambition for Booster is to be able to make a meaningful difference to how NZers live and work; providing customers with the necessary tools to be able to live within their means, protect and grow their financial resources and live the retirement they deserve.
“I want Booster to become the most trusted financial partner for New Zealanders. We’ll achieve that with innovative products and services, education and leadership.”
Paul Foley
Executive Chairman
Paul is the Chairman of Booster Financial Services Limited. He is also on the board of directors for Booster Investment Management Limited.
A senior corporate / commercial lawyer, Paul is now a consultant with MinterEllisonRuddWatts, having been a partner there for more than 28 years. He has over 30 years’ experience working with companies in the financial services, manufacturing and energy fields. He is a past director and chair of NZX and ASX listed companies and a Chartered Fellow of the NZ Institute of Directors.
David Beattie
Principal
David has over 35 years’ experience in investment management and portfolio research. He joined Booster in 2000 as our Chief Investment Officer. David’s key areas of focus are strategy, investment stewardship and Financial Adviser relationships.
“We’ve always had a very strong client-focused culture, with a practical desire to think and collaborate innovatively. We’re not bogged down by bureaucracy.”
Gary Scott
Principal
As Principal, Gary’s key focus is on project implementation. He is also Booster’s company secretary. Originally an auditor with PwC, Gary moved into operational risk management and project management with AMP before joining Booster in 2005.
“We’re a small company but our focus is on creating products and services that deliver what customers need, ensuring loyalty and success over the longer term.”
Allan Wilson
Principal
Allan has been with Booster from the very start. He is responsible for the strategic outlook of technology to identify trends, opportunities and threats that need to be integrated with our systems and processes to ensure we are always improving our services.
“My focus is on providing products and services that are needed to improve financial independence. The customer is at the heart of everything we do.”
Dave Copson
Head of Growth
Dave is responsible for growing the number of people who benefit from Booster’s services. With over 30 years experience in the financial services industry, Dave understands the help and support customers need. His focus is creating a great experience for our customers and making sure they have WOW moments.
“For me, our commitment to supporting our partners and clients with innovative products and technology, coupled with great customer service is the Booster difference. We care about our customers.”
Gabriela Opacic
Operations Manager
Gabriela leads the Operations team. Operations includes unit pricing, client and fund trades, and settlements and payments. Gabriela ensures her team maintains its focus on accuracy and meeting service level agreements. Before joining Booster in 2007, Gabriela worked in finance, with a particular focus on unit trusts.
“Booster’s people, our culture of openness and knowledge-sharing is what makes Booster truly different.”
James Story
Senior Technical Product Manager
James leads our Technology team. He is responsible for ensuring the Booster platform is future-ready and keeps up to date with the changing world of business and technology. Prior to joining Booster, James worked as a software and development manager for a number of successful startups in a range of different industries.
“Our focus is to build software that everyone loves to use and gives people the tools they need to create a great financial future.”
Jude Davies
Customer Experience Manager
Jude is responsible for delivering a great experience for our customers across the entire Booster platform, helping customers to become more financially resilient. Before joining Booster in 2016, Jude worked in marketing and product roles in FMCG industries, both here and in the UK.
“I believe Booster does business with heart. We align our business purpose with the desire to effect positive change in people’s lives and the wider community.”
Matthew Savage
Communications Manager
Matthew leads our marketing and communications team. Matthew’s key focus is to enable his team to create and develop marketing communications that enhance the customer experience, support growth initiatives, and the continued development of the Booster brand. Matthew’s expertise includes 15 years’ creative and advertising agency experience. Prior to joining Booster, he was a marketing and communications consultant for a national PR agency.
“I’m excited about Booster’s continued innovation in the financial services industry, and forward-thinking approach to developing next generation solutions.”
Mihaela Chitu
Senior Manager – Projects
Mihaela’s primary focus is on delivering projects, systems and process improvements driven by strategic goals and business requirements. Before joining Booster, Mihaela worked in the pharmaceutical industry, including as Executive Manager for a Romanian-Dutch joint venture.
“Booster’s size, combined with our culture, allows us to be big enough to be a disruptive market player, and small enough to be agile and flexible.”
Natasha Keddie
Finance Manager
Natasha leads Booster’s Finance team. Natasha and her team are responsible for ensuring Booster meets its financial obligations of the Booster Group, Booster’s investment funds, our clients, shareholders and external stakeholders.
Before joining Booster, Natasha spent 12 years at Grant Thornton – both here and in the UK. Natasha’s most recent role was Associate Director in the Audit team.
“Booster is always looking for new and innovative ways to deliver value to customers and support Kiwi business. The focus is very much on the customer.”
Nic Craven
Senior Manager – Research
Nic leads our investment research team. His team ensure that client investments are managed with the care and discipline that are needed to deliver consistent results over the longer term. Nic originally joined Booster in 2004, returning to Booster in 2014 after an overseas stint.
“We don’t shy away from a challenge. We have a can-do mindset, which means we always focus our efforts on making a positive difference for our investors.”
Sarah Melton
Senior Manager – Risk and Regulatory
Sarah looks after risk management and regulatory obligations for the Booster Group, providing strategic directions within these areas. Sarah has over 20 years’ experience working in the financial services industry.
“Booster challenges the norm. We want our customers to be able, confident and forward-thinking about their financial security.”
Stephen Cornwell
Senior Software Development Manager
Stephen leads our software development team. His key focus is to develop processes, system architectures and technologies that allow Booster to be nimble and deliver value for members. Stephen has over 20 years’ experience in software development and technical leadership across a broad range of industries.
“I’m passionate about the practical application of technology and the benefits and value Booster’s digital platform delivers for our customers.“
Brendon Doyle
Director, Direct Investments
Brendon joined Booster in 2017 as a director of Booster Investment Management Limited (BIML) and joint leadership of the Booster Tahi Limited Partnership.
Brendon has more than 17 years' experience in financial markets with banks and the New Zealand government. Previous roles include Global Head of Capital Markets at Westpac and Deputy Secretary Financial and Commercial Operations at the NZ Treasury.
Duncan Wylie
General Manager, Strategic Development
Duncan heads up our specialist funds, Tahi and PLPP. His primary focus is on direct investment – exploring and executing investable opportunities for Tahi and PLPP. Duncan has more than 30 years’ banking, finance and mergers & acquisitions experience with both local and international banking and accounting institutes. He joined Booster in 2017.
“Booster is different because we have an inherent can-do attitude and a core drive to do right by our staff, customers and owners.”
Bruce Edgar
Executive Director
Bruce joined Booster in 2016 as an Independent Director on the boards of Booster Assurance Limited (BAL) and Booster Investment Management Limited (BIML).
In 2019, Bruce was appointed Executive Director. His role includes working on the capital raising side of Booster’s Tahi fund.
“Booster has a huge focus on its customers and the total customer experience. Our focus on innovation gives our members the tools they need to create a stronger financial future.”
Chris Westbury
Associate Director – Direct Investments
Joining the Tahi team late 2020, Chris brings a world of knowledge from his private equity and investment banking background. He will be primarily focused on direct investments for Booster’s specialty investment funds – Tahi, PLPF and NZ Innovation Booster.
“Booster has a clear focus on investing in New Zealand. Our ability to innovate and challenge the norm means we can make a real difference to the businesses we invest in.”
Allan Yeo
