Simon Botherway
| Simon Botherway | |
|---|---|
| Born | |
| 🏳️ Nationality | New Zealander |
| 🎓 Alma mater | University of Otago Christ's College |
| 💼 Occupation | Investment manager, company director, regulatory leader |
| Known for | Service to the Crown, particularly Chairing the Financial Markets Authority (FMA) Establishment Board
Co-founding Brook Asset Management Shareholder activism Chair of Serko (2013–2021) Company Director |
| Board member of | Black Bull Markets, NZMS 1st, Origin Capital Management, The Hills, Delivereasy |
| 👶 Children | 4 |
| 🏅 Awards | Beacon Award 2005 Fund Manager of The Year 2007 |
Simon Botherway is a New Zealand investment manager, company director, and former regulatory leader. He is noted for his role as the Chair of the Establishment Board of the Financial Markets Authority (FMA), which redesigned New Zealand's financial markets oversight following the global financial crisis. He is was a co-founder of Brook Asset Management and is recognised as a pioneer in New Zealand's shareholder activism movement and investment landscape.
Early life and education
Botherway attended Christ's College, Christchurch, where he served as Head Boy and represented the school in rugby and rowing.[1] He later studied at the University of Otago, graduating with a degree in commerce. During his time at university, he was the treasurer for Selwyn College.[2]
Career
Early career in finance
Botherway began his career in 1986 as a money markets trainee at merchant bank Southpac. In the late 1980s, he became a foreign exchange trader for Southpac and later for Bankers Trust. He also worked for Lloyds Bank in Sydney before returning to New Zealand in 1995.[2]
Investment management
In 1995, Botherway transitioned to equities at Arcus Investment Management. He was among the first in New Zealand to earn the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation and later served as President of the CFA Society of New Zealand.
In 2002, Botherway co-founded Brook Asset Management, serving as its Executive Chairman. The firm grew to become New Zealand’s largest domestic equities investment management company and was named the Morningstar Domestic Equities Fund Manager of the Year in 2007. In 2003, Brook Asset Management was selected as one of the first two external fund managers for the newly established NZ Super Fund.[3]
After leaving Brook, Botherway headed the investment management division at ANZ, where he was tasked with reorganising its investment business after the global financial crisis.[4]
During his time at Brook Asset Management, Botherway became known as one of New Zealand's most prominent shareholder activists. His approach involved publicly challenging company boards on issues of governance, strategy, and shareholder returns at a time when such actions were uncommon in the market.
Notable interventions include:
- Fletcher Challenge: He publicly questioned the board's positive financial outlook at an AGM, predicting a major restructuring of its forestry business, which occurred six months later.
- Contact Energy: He led opposition to block the sale of the company to an American corporation, arguing it was not in the best interests of local shareholders.
- Kiwi Income Property Trust: He forced a special meeting to rewrite the company's trust deed.
His activities were reported on by national media, with The New Zealand Herald describing him as "one of the most visible and aggressive of activist shareholders".[citation needed] In 2005, his work was recognised with the Beacon Award from the New Zealand Shareholders’ Association.
Governance and regulatory roles
Botherway has held numerous governance roles in both Crown entities and professional bodies.
Financial Markets Authority (FMA)
Following the global financial crisis, Botherway was appointed with bi-partisan support as Chair of the Financial Markets Authority (FMA) Establishment Board in 2010. He was charged with designing and operationalising the new "super regulator" intended to restore confidence in New Zealand's capital markets. In this role, he advised the Minister of Commerce and guided the creation of the FMA's legislative mandate, structure, and strategic mission. The establishment of the FMA has been cited by the IMF and the World Bank as a critical reform that improved New Zealand's financial oversight.
Other Crown appointments
Securities Commission: Served as a Commissioner prior to the FMA's formation.
Electricity Authority Establishment Board: Served as a Director during the creation of the new electricity market regulator.
Callaghan Innovation: Appointed as a Director in 2016, where he chaired the Audit & Risk Committee.
NZ Super Fund: Served as a Guardian of the New Zealand Superannuation Fund from 2018 to 2021. During his tenure, the Fund grew from $38 billion to $54 billion.
Corporate directorships
Botherway has served on the boards of numerous public and private companies.
Serko (NZX: SKO): He was Chair of the travel technology company for eight years, from 2013 to 2021. He led the company from a private entity through its IPO and dual listing on the NZX and ASX, overseeing its growth to a market capitalisation of over $1 billion and inclusion in the NZX 50 index.
Other Roles: He has served as a director for Fisher & Paykel Appliances and Fidelity Life, and currently chairs BlackBull Markets, Delivereasy, and Origin Capital Partners. He also serves as an advisor to the Hill family boards.
Philanthropy
Botherway has been involved in a range of unpaid and philanthropic activities. He currently volunteers as the Chair of the INFINZ Financial Services and Innovation Awards. He previously chaired the Queenstown Alpine Ski Team and has supported his alma mater, Christ's College, as a title donor and member of its Endowment Fund's Advisory Board. He has also personally sponsored the education of children through World Vision and a private endowment.
Awards and recognition
- Beacon Award, New Zealand Shareholders’ Association (2005)
- Morningstar Domestic Equities Fund Manager of the Year, (awarded to Brook Asset Management, 2007)
Companies he has chaired have received Deloitte Fast 50 and Master of Growth awards, including Serko, Delivereasy, and BlackBull Markets.
References
- ↑ "CHRIST'S COLLEGE", Memorials of Cambridge, Cambridge University Press, pp. 1–56, 2012-03-22, ISBN 978-1-108-04395-3, retrieved 2025-08-02
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 "Money man Simon Botherway", Sunday Star Times, 2008-01-03, retrieved 2025-08-04 – via Stuff
- ↑ "NZ Super Fund - AMP Henderson and Brook Asset Management Appointed to Manage New Zealand Equities Mandates". NZ Super Fund. 2014-07-24. Retrieved 2025-08-02.
- ↑ "Simon Botherway moves to ANZ funds role", RNZ, 2011-03-16, retrieved 2025-08-04
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