Profile
Kelvin draws on his tremendous knowledge of the wider banking, investment and insurance advice sectors in his daily work. His career began in 1983 with the Southland Savings Bank, a regional organisation that later became part of the Trust Bank network. Kelvin took on a number of banking roles offering residential and commercial lending and mortgage advice as well as insurance options. He later worked in bank management. In his next career phase he worked in car dealerships, moving to Christchurch in 1998 to be part of a high profile group giving advice both insurance and motor financing deals. These roles have given him the sound footing to move into specialist insurance advice first with WDI Group and then with its ultimate parent Lifetime. At Lifetime one of his favourite roles is working on insurance advice with families. He knows parents will rest easier if they understand that an accident or a significant illness is covered by a payout. Making sure children are provided
for under insurance, is in everyones best interests.
Kelvin says helping ensure people have a good financial and insurance plan in place is one of his main aims. Getting a client through the claims process also gives him significant satisfaction. For example he recently worked with a customer with bowel cancer and was able to get the lump sum process underway so there was less stress on everyone involved. Given the amount of time he has been in the industry means Kelvin is giving financial advice to a range of clients including those aged in their mid-50s or older and a younger grouping. Some of the older clients need advice on how to best manage their insurance premiums. In general those in different age brackets need to be steered towards different types of investment. There are real risks for those nearing retirement, for example if they have too much of their portfolio in shares. Those prospective retirees can be hurt financially if their shares take a major downward correction. For younger investors and old alike Kelvin he
works out what is the investment end goal and what sort of lifestyle do those people want when they reach that point. He also works with first home buyers, and those that have opened KiwiSaver accounts to make sure they are getting the most from the Government and out of their savings plan.
Outside of work Kelvin and his wife Andrea enjoy raising their two daughters, Ella and Abby as well as enjoying a relaxing time together. Kelvin enjoys golf but also helps coach and support his daughter’s sporting exploits which include rugby, cricket, netball and tennis.