Headquarters:

1-40 Hurstmere Road, Takapuna, Auckland 0622

Year founded:

2022

Number of employees:

Phone:

0210 318 160

Email:

Mikey@guardiansmith.co.nz

Website:

guardiansmith.co.nz

LinkedIn:

linkedin.com/company/ everbright-finance

“Having four insurance designations, and the wealth of knowledge that comes with it, enables me to better counsel customers regarding the importance of having the appropriate insurance coverage”

Saray Uribe, CharSan Insurance & Consulting

Mikey Smith

Managing Director and Head Adviser

Melissa Smith

Client Services Manager and Head of Loan Admin

Louise Weston-Arnold

Client Services Manager and Loan Admin

Leadership

Mikey Smith founded Guardian Smith on the basis that he would continue to enjoy the ups and downs of the day-to-day lifestyle of the financial sector. Starting out at the end of 2018, it was a pipe dream for him to think he would be a multi-award-winning mortgage adviser, have teams of great people around him, and be making plans to spread across the country. Smith believes that home ownership is a huge part of the NZ economy, and it is still the Kiwis’ dream to have their own home. He emphasises that borrowing correctly is a must and that it is clear there is a huge demand for Guardian Smith to provide service and advice that translates the lingo and educates people correctly, so getting a home loan is not scary and becomes enjoyable. Smith and his team are here to be the translators and turn the process from the deep unknown into education and enjoyment. They want to make sure they get people approved for the loans they need to achieve their goals. It is no secret that Smith wants to go from being one of the leading mortgage advisers to making Guardian one of the leading mortgage advisory companies in New Zealand. He emphasises that this cannot happen without sticking to their company values.

Managing Director and Head Adviser

Mikey Smith

Melissa Smith was the first person to join Mikey Smith back in 2019, when Mikey was looking to grow. At the time, Mikey was a small-time mortgage broker, and she trusted the vision of the company and joined Guardian Smith after 18 years in the banking industry. Melissa spent many years in home lending at ASB Bank and Kiwibank. She brings valuable skills to the company that help make sure they get loans approved.

Client Services Manager and Head of Loan Admin

Melissa Smith

Louise Weston-Arnold has a long history in the mortgage and lending space, dating back to when she was back in the UK. She’s an asset to the team; she processes refixes and mortgage extensions but also has the skills to help collate documents and prepare loan applications for bank submission.

Client Services Manager and Loan Admin

Louise Weston-Arnold

“Having four insurance designations, and the wealth of knowledge that comes with it, enables me to better counsel customers regarding the importance of having the appropriate insurance coverage”

Saray Uribe, CharSan Insurance & Consulting

Leadership

“A true leader can see potential in different employees, regardless of their position. Listening and recognizing the value of each individual not only inspires them but also makes them grow professionally”

Saray Uribe, CharSan Insurance & Consulting

Leadership

Zaheeda Ahmed

Client Services Manager

Zaheeda Ahmed joined Guardian Smith in 2020, coming from a sales and management background. She looks after everything, from helping clients fix their existing lending to extending expiring mortgage approvals to being Mikey Smith’s right hand. Ahmed keeps the company’s CRM, application folders, system operations and general office organisation in full order so Mikey and the team can work as efficiently as possible; in turn, this keeps the company operating at a high level with great service.

Client Services Manager

Zaheeda Ahmed

Jack Hou

Partner

Jack Hou is a strategic partner at EverBright Finance. He has 18 years of experience working in four international financial institutions, including three major banks in New Zealand. His positions within ANZ included head of international banking, NZ and Auckland Asian retail and business banking, and acting regional manager for Wellington North, with 13 branches and over 200 bankers. He was also a board member of the ANZ NZ Staff Foundation and the founder of the Wellington Region’s Asian retail and business bank divisions. Hou is passionate about helping clients enter into home and business ownership. He is keen to share his corporate and entrepreneurial experience to help customers and their businesses grow. As a vibrant, motivational leader, he develops high-performing individuals and teams. Innovative and entrepreneurial, he has a strong ability to launch new business strategies and own growth segments with superior customer satisfaction and revenue growth.

Partner

Jack Hou

Guardian Smith Mortgage and Financial Services opened its doors 2 years ago and has been full steam ahead ever since. The company’s goals are audacious and cannot be achieved without providing top-quality service and value to all of its clients. Guardian Smith focuses on refining processes, providing sound individual financial advice and building great relationships. The best part about Guardian Smith is the road map that Mikey Smith, managing director and head adviser, has laid out in advance. The company wants to grow and become the most well-known mortgage adviser brand in the country. To do so, the team at Guardian Smith knows that they have to make sure their clients appreciate the advice they receive and feel like they get special care. Guardian Smith has sound processes and systems in place to heighten efficiency and provide content for its brokers to learn from and lean on.

Edward Lai

Head of Insurance

Sean McConlogue

President, Alliant Underwriting and Consumer Solutions

Dan Draper

Group Chief Underwriting Officer

Simon Williams

Chief Strategy & Distribution Officer, Arch Insurance International and Active Underwriter, Syndicate 1955

Edward Lai is the head of insurance for EverBright Finance. He believes putting his clients first and maintaining the highest level of professionalism on their behalf is a must, and this has never steered him wrong. He brings the greatest degree of experience to his clients by listening to their needs and working diligently with them to implement a comprehensive, customised plan that is unique to them. His specialty lies in life risk insurance such as life, trauma, disability income protection, TPD and medical coverage. His clients would describe him as an honest, helpful, passionate and detail-oriented person. With Lai on their side, clients can rest assured that they will receive the highest level of expertise and care when it comes to their insurance needs.

Head of Insurance

Edward Lai

Sean McConlogue has more than 20 years of experience in the insurance industry, with particular emphasis on specialty program development. Before joining the company in 2003, McConlogue served as president of Affinity Insurance Services, and prior to that held senior-level management positions with Tristar Insurance Services, Arthur J. Gallagher & Co., and Xerox Corporation. McConlogue earned a bachelor’s degree in economics from the University of California, San Diego and a master’s degree in international management from Thunderbird, The American Graduate School of International Management.

President, Alliant Underwriting and Consumer Solutions

Sean McConlogue

Dan Draper was appointed group chief underwriting officer in September 2022. He had previously served for more than two years as group head of underwriting at AXIS. Prior to that, he had been group chief risk and actuarial officer at VIBE. Before joining VIBE, Draper spent eight years with AXIS, holding a number of leadership roles that included group chief actuary, chief risk analytics officer, and insurance segment chief risk officer. Before that, he held managerial positions at the Financial Services Authority, XL Capital, and EY.

Group Chief Underwriting Officer

Dan Draper

Kimi leads the Estate Planning and Wealth Protection team and is a member of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners. She understands the complex and delicate nature of family estate planning, the technical requirements around probate and estate administration, and the importance of preserving wealth for future generations. Her advice is accurate, commercial, strategic and tailored to each situation.

Partner

Kimi Shah

Partner

Kimi Shah

Partner

Kimi Shah

Sarah M Stewart

Associate Vice President, Leasing and Call Centre Operations

Karen Bannister, CM

Vice President, Marketing

Dave Longbottom

Chief Technology Officer

Alex Ventura

Head of Marketing

Damian Palovick

Senior Vice President of Underwriting AXA XL – Delegated Authority Programs, North America

Dr. Mary Lavoie

Head of Risk Management and Senior Vice President AXA XL – Delegated Authority Programs, North America

Mark Bernacki

Chief Underwriting Officer

Ryan Armijo

Chief Operating Officer, Underwriting Division

Bob Petrilli

President, Underwriting Division

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Broker communication, training and development

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Broker's Pick – Personal Accident and Illness Insurance

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Small business

Medal

Overall service level

Broker communication, training and development

BDM support

Turnaround time – claims

Broker's Pick – Personal Accident and Illness Insurance

Brokers’ Pick – Professional liability

Small business

Saray Uribe, CharSan Insurance & Consulting

“Having four insurance designations, and the wealth of knowledge that comes with it, enables me to better counsel customers regarding the importance of having the appropriate insurance coverage”

Saray Uribe, CharSan Insurance & Consulting