OUR TEAM
The team at LPF Group have senior financial, corporate and legal experience both in New Zealand and internationally, and they share a passion for enabling people to access justice, and to hold those who have done wrong to account.
Bill Wilson, KC
DIRECTOR
Bill Wilson is a lawyer with extensive experience in public and private litigation in New Zealand, as well as commercial experience.
Since obtaining a Master of Laws degree from Victoria University of Wellington Bill has worked in the law for more than 40 years, including as a litigation partner in Bell Gully from 1971 to 1996, as a Queen’s Counsel from 1996 to 2007 and as a member of the Waitangi Tribunal from 1986 to 1995. In the commercial sector, he was a director of Air New Zealand and chaired the Board of Visa New Zealand Limited.
Bill was appointed as a Judge directly to the Court of Appeal of New Zealand in 2007 and the following year was appointed to the Supreme Court of New Zealand. He resigned from that Court in 2010 to practise as an arbitrator, mediator and legal adviser.
Phil Newland
DIRECTOR
Phil Newland founded LPF Group in 2009, and is a former lawyer and private New Zealand investor with a number of business interests, including property and finance. Phil has extensive public and private directorial experience in both New Zealand and Australia.
Phil’s professional career spans corporate law, commercial property and commercial investment. Phil’s experience includes directorships of Les Mills Group (2010 – 2021), Abano Healthcare (2001–2010), Noel Leeming Group (2001–2004) and Geni (2001–2004). Phil previously practised as a commercial/corporate lawyer with Russell McVeagh.
Phil has a BCA/LLB from Victoria University of Wellington and a Masters of Science Degree from New York University.
Bruce Sheppard
DIRECTOR
Bruce is a practising chartered accountant and co-founded Gilligan Sheppard in 1985. For over 25 years he has been advising clients on issues relating to tax, business optimisation, succession planning and risk and capital management.
Bruce has also been a long-term supporter of shareholders and investors and founded the New Zealand Shareholders Association in 2001 and was chairman until stepping down in 2010. He was appointed to the Financial Markets Authority Establishment Board and remained as an Associate Member of the Board of the Financial Markets Authority (the FMA) until 2014.
He is a well-known champion of the “little guy”. Bruce has a BCom from the University of Auckland.
Michael Stiassny: BCom, LLB,FCA, CFInstD
DIRECTOR
Michael Stiassny has extensive senior business and financial experience. He has a 40-year strong background in financial consultancy and is a prominent strategic advisor. He is a leading corporate governance practitioner and advocate for sustainability practices.
Michael is currently Chairman of Tower Limited and Ngati Whatua Orakei Whai Rawa Ltd, as well as a director of a number of public and private companies. He is a Fellow and past president of The Institute of Directors in New Zealand (Inc.) (FInstD), a life member of RITANZ and a Fellow of Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand. Michael is also a former member of the board of the Financial Markets Authority.
Michael completed his BCom/LLB at the University of Auckland.
Jonathan Woodhams
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Jonathan Woodhams manages the day to day operation of LPF Group. He joined LPF in 2012 and has a strong background in both the corporate and legal sectors.
Jonathan spent a number of years practising commercial, banking and insolvency law at firms including Russell McVeagh in Auckland and Slaughter and May in London. He also has extensive experience in both public and private companies, as general counsel and in running commercial operations. Jonathan completed his LLB/BCom at the University of Auckland.