Chair of Trustee Board

Sarah joined Milford in 2019 having worked in the Advertising industry for over 25 years and has lead a number of businesses during her career. Marketing Strategy is her area of expertise and she has applied these skills for many philanthropic organisations over the years as part of her commitment to giving back. “I am a proud New Zealander and I cherish this beautiful country we are so privileged to live in. It’s not about the have and have nots for me, it’s about working together as New Zealanders to ensure that not only our people but our land is nurtured for future generations. It is an absolute privilege to be working with an organisation such as Milford that is ready to stand-up and work toward making a difference, and being steadfastly committed to doing so.” Sarah is delighted to be able to now apply her skill set to the Milford Foundation in not only the day to day requirements that the Milford Foundation has but also as the Chair of Trustee Board for the Milford Foundation.

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

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.

Philip Morgan Rees – Head of Private Wealth, Milford Asset Management 

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.

Debbie Sorensen CCT,CMInstD

Debbie is a New Zealand-born Tongan, with family connections to Leimatu’a in Vava’u and Tongaleleka in Ha’apai. She is a health leader, international development practitioner, health strategist and management expert specialising in projects that address the health challenges that face Pacific communities in New Zealand and in the Pacific region. She is the current Chief Executive for the Pasifika Medical Association and the Pacific Whanau Ora Commissioning Agency – Pasifika Futures which has engaged over 202,000 Pacific people in Aotearoa through its partner network of over 60 partners. 

Debbie has led the establishment of the Moana Pasifika Women’s Network, the Pasifika Medical Association Education Fund, Health Science STEM Academy at Otahuhu College. She is sought after as an international speaker including at the UN Gender Equality Forum in 2021. She also attended the Harvard Women’s Leadership Summit and the Harvard Kennedy School of Government Strategic Leadership for the 21^st Century. 

In 2015 Debbie was invested as a Commander Royal Order Crown of Tonga, by His Majesty King Tupou VI in recognition of her services to the people of Tonga.