The Private Office

Office address: Level 1, Princes Court, 2 Princes Street Auckland 1010
Website: www.theprivateoffice.co.nz
Year established: 2014
Company type: financial services
Employees: 8
Expertise: investment consulting, wealth management services, client management, advanced planning, relationship management, financial advice, personal wealth advice, portfolio diversification, securities, KiwiSaver, investment, term deposits
Parent company: N/A
Key people: Laetitia Peterson (founder), Nick Crawford (senior client director), John Atkinson (GM), Dan Weale (senior client director), Angela Chu (client director), Claudia Williams (financial adviser), Cindy Ip (COO), Sharmin Charania (client relationship manager)
Financing status: N/A

The Private Office (TPO) specialises in wealth management, helping clients achieve life goals with a focus on socially responsible investing. Their approach uses academically proven investment solutions and offers highly diversified portfolios. With eight employees, they provide exposure to over 10,000 companies across all major markets.

History of The Private Office

The Private Office was founded by Laetitia Peterson in 2014 to bring best-practice financial advice to New Zealand after selling her fund management business, Liontamer. Partnering with Consilium, the company utilises globally recognised systems to support financial advisers. In 2019, they sponsored the New Zealand Bar Association annual conference for the fourth consecutive year.

In 2020, the company published 'TPO Illustrated', which simplifies wealth management through illustrated concepts. Their unique goals-based approach is supported by academically proven investment solutions. They emphasise socially responsible investing and highly diversified portfolios across major markets.

Products and Services of The Private Office

The company provides financial advisory and wealth management consultancy services, specialising in:

• investment consulting: tailored strategies to optimise client investment portfolios
• advanced planning: comprehensive financial planning for achieving long-term goals
• relationship management: ongoing support to maintain and enhance client relationships
• securities: guidance on various securities to diversify and strengthen investment portfolios
• other collective investment schemes: Including direct shares, bonds, managed funds, unit trusts, and KiwiSaver
• portfolio investment entities: customised investment entities for diverse and structured holdings
• bank term deposits: secure, interest-earning deposit options tailored to client needs

The Private Office offers a tailored, collaborative approach to help clients plan for their future and achieve their lifestyle goals. With over sixty years of combined experience, Laetitia, Nick, and Patrick provide expert advice for dedicated investors.

Culture at The Private Office

The Private Office fosters a dynamic and determined work environment, passionate about helping clients build and manage wealth. The team, with diverse backgrounds, excels in providing inspirational lifetime financial planning. They unite under a shared love for a goals-based approach and expert investment management, using academically proven solutions.

The Private Office is committed to social responsibility, with responsible investing at the heart of their approach. They aim to empower clients to align their investments with their values, promoting sustainability for future generations. Their dedication to ethical and sustainable practices is reflected in their diversity and inclusion initiatives:

• environmentally conscious portfolios: focused on climate change, energy emissions, waste management, and resource depletion
• ethically screened portfolios: excluding harmful industries such as factory farming, cluster munitions, child labour, tobacco, and nuclear weapons
• high-quality governance: encouraging ethical business practices through shareholder voting
• philanthropic giving: partnering with The Gift Trust to facilitate charitable donations efficiently

The Private Office embodies their CHIP values, which are central to their operations and client relationships. These values guide every aspect of their work, ensuring the best outcomes for their clients:

• caring: they show genuine care and empathy, aiming to make clients feel confident about their future
• honesty: they prioritise truthfulness and transparency, building strong and trusted relationships
• integrity: they consistently act ethically, prioritising clients' interests and adhering to a strong moral code
• professionalism: they maintain high standards, ensuring clients can rely on their expertise and accountability

The company seeks to assist successful individuals and families seeking disciplined financial management. They ensure clients' wealth supports long-term goals and financial independence. They are also dedicated to helping young people save for the future.

About The Private Office Founder Laetitia Peterson and Key People

Laetitia Peterson, founder of The Private Office, works with clients to make significant financial impacts. She has served as an economic diplomacy advisor for Belgium, co-managing director at Liontamer Investments, honorary consul of Belgium in Auckland, and director at BNZ. Peterson holds an MBA from the University of Chicago, graduated from KU Leuven, and has a financial services certificate from Open Polytechnic of New Zealand.

Key people supporting the founder in operating the company include senior professionals with diverse roles and expertise:

• Nick Crawford, serving as a senior client director, provides expert client advisory and financial planning
• John Atkinson, as a general manager, oversees company operations and ensures strategic alignment
• Dan Weale, as senior client director, delivers advanced financial planning and client relationship management
• Angela Chu, serving as client director, manages and nurtures client relationships
• Claudia Williams, acting as a financial adviser, offers personalised financial advice and investment strategies
• Cindy Ip, as an operations and compliance manager, ensures regulatory compliance and operational efficiency
• Sharmin Charania, serving as a client relationship manager, maintains and enhances client engagement and satisfaction

The Future at The Private Office

The Private Office aims to leverage their expertise in wealth management and socially responsible investing. Theirpublications, including ‘Legal Tender’, ‘Sudden Money’, and ‘TPO Illustrated’, educate clients on financial markets and wealth management. Moving forward, the company will likely focus on expanding their educational resources and innovative strategies to support long-term client success.

The company’s partnership with Consilium combines innovation and expertise, enhancing their financial advisory services. Consilium’s investment committee offers profound market insights and disciplined portfolio management. This collaboration ensures that TPO will offer diverse services and strategies for lasting client prosperity.