Board Members
RITANZ is run by a Board of elected volunteers from the professional services sectors operating within or closely associated with the industry.
Kare is a partner at McGrathNicol and has over 20 years’ experience in providing restructuring, insolvency and forensic advice. Her experience has covered a wide range of industries, including retail, property & construction, finance and manufacturing. Kare managed the sale processes of the major subsidiaries held by South Canterbury Finance (Helicopters NZ, Dairy Holdings and Scales Corporation). In addition to many restructuring and insolvency engagements, she was also the Voluntary Administrator of Dick Smith Electronics and Receiver of Nando’s. Crispin Vinnell heads Anthony Harper's national, internationally ranked insolvency team. David is a Partner with Deloitte and is the National Head of Restructuring and Turnaround. David has over 20 years’ experience assisting a range of businesses, financiers and organisations and has worked many of the leading banks and law firms across New Zealand and Australia. Rees is a Business Restructuring Partner at BDO with around 20 years’ experience in the restructuring industry. Rees is also a Chartered Accountant, a Licensed Insolvency Practitioner and has been a board member of the Restructuring, Insolvency and Turnaround Association of New Zealand since 2017. Mornet brings more than 20 years experience in the banking industry, including ASB, Kiwibank and Heartland Bank Ltd. Mornet has a deep understanding of banking and has led a variety of teams including specialist recovery, collections, turnaround, internal asset review and credit portfolio management teams. Mornet hails from South Africa where he completed a law degree at the University of Pretoria. Ping is Chief Risk Officer at UDC Finance Limited. She has extensive experience in the financial services sector, including 10+ years in the restructuring and insolvency area in NZ. In her current role, Ping oversees the risk management framework, and leads various risk teams including credit risk, asset management, collections, portfolio management and governance, as well as operational risk and compliance. Natalie is a restructuring specialist and Licensed Insolvency Practitioner with over 15 years' experience working with distressed businesses. She is passionate about bringing people together to achieve the best possible outcome in difficult circumstances. Natalie takes a collaborative and commercial approach which allows her to drive successful outcomes on insolvency assignments which have included the Solid Energy voluntary administration and the receiverships of MediaWorks, Fiji Resort and Spa (managed by Hilton) and Pumpkin Patch. Her restructuring experience covers a wide range of industries, including retail, tourism, early childcare, property and construction, agriculture and manufacturing. Jennifer is a Principal at boutique firm, TWA Legal Limited. She has approximately 15 years of specialist experience in finance, insolvency and restructuring and has been centrally involved with many of the largest and most complex corporate insolvencies in recent times. She also has broad experience as a corporate and commercial lawyer. Leon is a Licensed Insolvency Practitioner, Partner and head of Turnaround & Restructuring at KPMG. He has over 15 years of restructuring, insolvency and financial advisory experience, including time in the UK. Leon is also a Chartered Accountant and Admitted Barrister & Solicitor. James McMillan is a litigation partner at Dentons Kensington Swan and leads the firm's restructuring and insolvency team. Emma is a Director of Laing Insolvency Specialists, a specialist insolvency practice based in Dunedin and has over 11 years' experience in the insolvency industry, undertaking insolvency appointments involving mainly small to medium sized entities across a wide range of industries, principally throughout the Otago/Southland area. As part of a specialist practice she enjoys a hands on pragmatic approach and is closely involved with all facets of each insolvency assignment. Rachel is an experienced litigator with over 20 years of experience in general commercial litigation and insolvency.
Kare Johnstone - CHAIR OF THE BOARD
Prior to joining McGrathNicol, Kare worked at a big four accounting firm for 15 years, including 10 years in London.
Kare is a member of Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand and a Licensed Insolvency Practitioner.
Crispin Vinnell - VICE - CHAIR OF THE BOARD
He is ranked as one of the leading practitioners in the country in both the Legal 500 Asia Pacific and the Chambers and Partners Directory. It is a mark of his prominence in the industry that he was invited by the Minister of Commerce and Consumer Affairs to be a member of the Corporate Insolvency Law Review Working Group.
Anthony Harper is an award-winning national law firm. For more than 150 years we have helped, assisted and advised New Zealand and international clients achieve their goals. As one of the largest law firms in the country we are proud to be able to solve the most complex of problems for our clients, whilst fostering an inclusive work environment and enhancing our local communities.
David Webb - TREASURER
David is passionate about the restructuring and insolvency industry and enjoys working helping businesses break through the barriers that may hinder their success – whether they need to optimise the value of a business, think differently about how a company is structured, or are in financial distress.
Prior to joining Deloitte, David has held senior positions with PricewaterhouseCoopers in Australia, PPB Advisory in both Australia and NZ, and Director of DSW Advisory. David was appointed as a Board Member of RITANZ in September 2015 and has held the position of Treasurer since his appointment.
Rees Logan - BOARD MEMBER
Rees has extensive experience advising businesses under financial pressure and collaborating with them and key stakeholders of the business to optimise outcomes in challenging financial circumstances.
Rees’s experience covers a broad range of business sectors across a range of sizes from SME’s to large corporates.
Mornet Van Der Merwe - BOARD MEMBER
Mornet has a particular interest in working with SMEs to help with cashflow planning and general risk management. Mornet is father to three young children and counts kayak fishing, family and football as his personal interests.
Ping Liu - BOARD MEMBER
Ping has been a board member of RITANZ since 2015. She brings to RITANZ the lender and creditor perspectives and is committed to ensure the organisation and its members continue to develop in line with the fast evolving financial services industry both in NZ and Australia.
Natalie Burrett - BOARD MEMBER
Natalie is a partner at Calibre Partners (formerly KordaMentha). Prior to joining Calibre Partners, Natalie worked for an accounting firm in Sydney for 4 years.
In addition to RITANZ, Natalie is a member of Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand, Institute of Directors, Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron and on the steering committee for Women in Restructuring and Insolvency.
Jennifer Tunna - BOARD MEMBER
Jennifer has significant experience in executing business and asset sales across a range of industry sectors, particularly in distressed situations. She is regularly recognised and recommended by Chambers and Partners, Legal 500, IFLR1000 and Doyles for her expertise in insolvency and restructuring.
Chambers refers to Jennifer as being 'someone who is on the rise' and as being 'responsive, thorough and practical, and a good communicator'. Jennifer has a particular interest in elevating and supporting diversity of thinking, and increasing health and wellbeing within the profession by promoting collaboration and mentorship. She is committed to supporting and encouraging more junior members of the profession to ensure the industry has a wave of confident, capable, diverse people to lead it into the future.
Leon Bowker - BOARD MEMBER
Leon helps stakeholders of underperforming businesses by providing independent reviews on performance, recovery options and value enhancement strategies. He has undertaken many financial analysis assignments, reporting to both management and financial institutions on cash flow, working capital, capital structure, and financial performance. Leon has also advised Government on key legislative reform relating to the retentions’ regime in the Construction Contracts Act. Leon is also regularly appointed as a liquidator by the Court and undertakes a range of other insolvency and restructuring engagements.
James McMillan - BOARD MEMBER
James has over 15 years’ restructuring and insolvency experience and is ranked by Chambers Asia Pacific, Legal 500 and IFLR1000. He regularly acts for banks, insolvency practitioners, trade creditors and directors.
James is passionate about our profession and the wellbeing of RITANZ members. He is particularly interested in continuing professional education within the profession as well as supporting newer members of RITANZ.
Emma Laing - BOARD MEMBER
In addition to her work as a Licensed Insolvency Practitioner, Emma is a qualified legal executive and is regularly engaged by local legal & financial services firms to advise on their trust account administration. Emma previously owned and operated a successful hospitality business and then held a senior position in a large government department based in Sydney.
Emma strongly believes insolvency is first and foremost a people business and enjoys the many and varied challenges the industry provides.
Rachel Pinny - BOARD MEMBER
She has acted for insolvency practitioners in some of New Zealand’s most complex insolvencies, including the Pike River Coal receivership, the Ross Asset Management liquidation and the Ebert Construction receivership (retention fund). She was recognised by Doyle’s Guide as being a leading insolvency and restructuring barrister in 2021.
She frequently presents on insolvency related topics including through the New Zealand Law Society’s Continuing Legal Education programme and RITANZ meetings.
Rachel has a keen interest in supporting more junior members of the profession with their development and building the collegial network within the industry. She is a member of the Committee for Wellington’s branch of Women in Restructuring and Insolvency (WIRI) and was previously an adjunct lecturer with the law faculty at Te Herenga Waka – Victoria University of Wellington.
