Alastair Thomson joined Milford Asset Management Auckland in May 2010 as the 9^th employee. He came from Clime Asset Management in Sydney where he was Director of IMA Sales.

His role at Milford was Head of Clients and was responsible for building clients and client facing teams in all areas of the business.

In 2015 he relocated to the South Island to develop all facets of the business as Head of South Island, with offices in Wanaka and Christchurch being established. He also established a strong Milford identity with the Festival of Colour cultural event in Wanaka.

He holds a Batchelor of Laws degree from Otago University and is a highly experienced professional, with more than 30 years in general management, marketing and 15 years in the funds management sector.

While he has no real experience of charitable organisations he feels he can add value to the Board in getting things done. “Plus, I’m very keen to give something back to the community.” Al retired in 2019 after 10 years with Milford and lives with Mary in Central Otago where they both watch rabbits multiply daily, on their property.

Chair of Trustee Board

Graeme began his working career in Wellington in 1979 as an investment analyst at Govt Life Office as it was known then, evaluating investment proposals. In late 1982 he moved to Southpac Investment Management (a funds management business), initially as an analyst then a portfolio manager and finally as Chief Investment Officer. In 1995 Graeme moved to the National Bank NZ (the then owner of Southpac) as the GM of Financial Services managing the Bank’s managed funds and private banking businesses.  From 1998 for two years he worked for Mercer Consulting as an investment consultant and then accepted a position at ANZ Bank to assist in building a private banking proposition.  This role included re-locating to Auckland. Graeme had always had a goal of being in business hence the opportunity to be a co-founder of Milford in late 2003 was welcomed.  Graeme spent the following 11 years at Milford as a shareholder, employee and executive director until his retirement in late 2014.  Graeme and his wife Jane live in Pukekohe where they offer garden tours and operate a charity helping 5 year olds from financially struggling families, to start school.  Jane and Graeme have three children and five grandchildren.

Phil joined Milford in August 2017 as Head of Private Wealth and brings a breadth of experience at the Executive and Senior Management level from a 30-year career. Prior to joining Milford, Phil held senior management positions at several of New Zealand’s leading and long-established wealth and fund managers including roles as General Manager, Head of Product Management, Investments (NZ) and Head of Product Management and Marketing. Phil has been responsible for large Financial Advisory teams and has first-hand experience with High Net Worth and Institutional clients, complemented by experience in investment governance through; membership of three investment and asset allocation committees, Chairmanship of a Staff Superannuation Fund and Trustee of a large charitable trust. Phil is a Financial Adviser. 

Phil’s experience with philanthropy includes being General Manager of one of New Zealand’s oldest Trustee Corporations and Wealth Managers where he had responsibility for the Philanthropy Division.  The division managed the charitable trusts and foundations of some of New Zealand’s well-known wealthy North Island families, managing wealth of in excess of $1/2bn.  The role brought him into contact with benefactors, donors, Philanthropy NZ and a range of recipients across a number of charitable sectors e.g. St John’s, Starship, Auckland Art Gallery/Toi o Tamaki. As part of this role, Phil acted directly as the professional trustee on the Charitable Trust of a high-profile New Zealand family where he helped the family take a legacy in the tens of millions of dollars and support the family members to transition from ‘pet projects’ to a clear and connected strategy while maintaining the preferences of the original benefactor. 

Other direct philanthropic activities include as Chair of a Choir (Friendly Society registered with Charities Services) which itself raised funds for a range of causes e.g. Age Concern, Habitat for Humanity, and founding Trustee of the New Zealand Pops Orchestra Foundation established to develop opportunities for cross-over musicians in New Zealand.  Phil’s governance-related activities include Chair of a Staff Superannuation Fund and an Asset Allocation Committee, membership of two Investment Committees and the management board of Kohimarama Presbyterian Church. Phil’s community and youth activities have included coaching juniors at Eastern Suburbs Football Club and five years of coaching juniors at Parnell Cricket Club.

Anthony is a Director on various boards, focusing on those providing a community benefit. He is currently Chair of a social enterprise, Humanitix NZ (which donates profits to the Education sector) and was the former Chair of the Milford Foundation.  Previous not-for-profit boards include NZ Water Polo, the Dingle Foundation in the Wellington region, and Compass Housing (a community housing provider).  He is also the Chair of the Board for Milford Asset Management and a Non-Executive Director of Milford Asset Management and is on the Board of the New Zealand Local Government Funding Agency (LGFA). 

Anthony has had over 30 years’ executive experience in the investment and financial services industry, including being Milford’s Managing Director from 2007 to 2016 before commencing his governance career.  He is a Fellow of the Institute of Finance Professionals New Zealand (INFINZ) and is a former Chairman of that organisation. He is also a member of the Institute of Directors

Sarah joined Milford in 2020 after a distinguished 25-year career in the advertising industry, where she successfully led multiple businesses. Her expertise lies in Marketing Strategy, which she has also applied to numerous philanthropic organisations as part of her commitment to giving back.

“I am a proud New Zealander and deeply value the privilege of living in this beautiful country. For me, it’s not about the ‘haves and have-nots’—it’s about working together to ensure both our people and our land are nurtured for future generations. It is an honour to contribute to an organisation like Milford that is steadfastly committed to making a meaningful difference.”

Sarah recently completed more than two years as Chair of the Milford Foundation Trustee Board, where she provided strategic leadership and helped shape the Foundation’s impact. She is delighted to continue serving as a Trustee, bringing her experience and passion to support the Foundation’s ongoing mission.