Meet our Investment Managers

Craig Alexander 
Co-Head of Funds Management
Forsyth Barr

craig.alexander@forsythbarr.co.nz  |  DDI: +64 9 368 0032  |  +64 21 227 9783

Craig Alexander joined Forsyth Barr in 2013. He has over 25 years of experience spanning New Zealand’s banking, insurance and funds management industries.

As Co-Head of Funds Management, Craig is responsible for the performance of Forsyth Barr’s investment management business, which is the investment manager for an array of investment unit trusts as well as the Summer KiwiSaver scheme.

In addition, Craig is the portfolio manager of the Forsyth Barr Premium Yield Fund and Forsyth Barr NZ Fixed Interest Fund.

A member of Forsyth Barr’s Investment Committee, Craig is a commerce graduate of Lincoln University and a former board member and treasurer of the New Zealand Financial Markets Association.

Craig manages the Summer New Zealand Cash, Summer New Zealand Fixed Interest and Summer Global Fixed Interest funds.

Jason Lindsay

Co-Head of Funds Management
Forsyth Barr

jason.lindsay@forsythbarr.co.nz | DDI: +64 4 914 2211 | +64 21 244 1811

Jason joined Forsyth Barr in 2019.  He has over 15 years of experience spanning New Zealand’s equity research and fund management industries.  Jason holds a BCA from Victoria University of Wellington and is a member of Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CAANZ) and is registered as a financial adviser.

As Co-Head of Funds Management, Jason too is responsible for the performance of Forsyth Barr’s investment management business, which is the investment manager for an array of investment unit trusts as well as the Summer KiwiSaver scheme.

Jason manages the Summer Australian Equities and Summer Listed Property funds.

Kevin Stirrat 
Director/Strategy, Wealth Management Research 
Forsyth Barr

kevin.stirrat@forsythbarr.co.nz  |  DDI: +64 9 368 0069  |  Mobile: +64 27 599 2045

Kevin Stirrat joined Forsyth Barr in 2005. He has over 30 years of experience in the areas of money market research, trading and sales, liability management, fixed income distribution, balance sheet management and asset management.

Kevin is the Head of Investment Strategy for Forsyth Barr. He provides dedicated research on global macro themes for New Zealand based investors including key asset allocation implications. He has specific responsibilities for firm wide tactical asset allocation and currency hedging decisions. He also leads the investment strategy discussion within the Forsyth Barr Investment Committee.

Paul Robertshawe 
Portfolio Manager
Forsyth Barr

Paul.Robertshawe@forsythbarr.co.nz | DDI: +64 4 495 5259 |  +64 27 652 4461

Paul joined Forsyth Barr in 2021, after 10 years running a large New Zealand equities portfolio for the ACC. He has 25 years of experience in the New Zealand fund management industry, managing wholesale client portfolios for the past 15 of those. Paul holds a BBS degree in Finance and Accounting from Massey University of Palmerston North, and is a member of Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CAANZ) and the Institute of Finance Professionals (INFINZ).

As a Portfolio Manager, Paul is responsible for building New Zealand portfolios and providing research assistance to the Australian portfolio manager.

Paul manages the Summer New Zealand Equities fund.

Rob Mercer 
Director/Equities, Wealth Management Research
Forsyth Barr

rob.mercer@forsythbarr.co.nz  |  DDI: +64 4 495 1325  |  Mobile: +64 21 958 192

Rob Mercer joined Forsyth Barr in 2001, and has worked in the financial markets since 1986. He has experience in both sharebroking and funds management, and has undertaken research roles and investment manager roles.

Rob has a BCA degree, majoring in Finance. He was formerly Chairman of the NZ Society of Investment Analysts (NZSIA).

Rob manages the Summer Global Equities fund.

Christine Smith-Han
Portfolio Analyst
Forsyth Barr

christine.smith-han@forsythbarr.co.nz | DDI: +64 3 474 6112

Christine Smith-Han re-joined Forsyth Barr in January 2017 after spending three years lecturing first and second year finance students at Otago University.  Prior to her role at the University, she had worked at Forsyth Barr for the previous six years.

Christine is responsible for managing investment analysis on portfolios associated with Forsyth Barr’s Investment Funds and the Summer KiwiSaver Scheme.  She also conducts quantitative research on economic information and financial data in order to assist Funds Management portfolio managers, while keeping up-to-date on the evolving reporting and disclosure standards required for our investment funds and the Summer KiwiSaver Scheme.

Christine completed a Masters in Business (Finance) from Otago University.

Tobias Newton
Analyst, Equities
Forsyth Barr

tobias.newton@forsythbarr.co.nz | DDI: +64 4 495 5265

Tobias joined Forsyth Barr in 2020. Prior to this he had spent the previous three years in the Deals team at PricewaterhouseCoopers, finishing there as a Senior Analyst. Before joining PwC he completed a Bachelor of Commerce degree at the University of Canterbury, and is currently pursuing his CFA designation. He is currently a level III CFA candidate having completed both level I and II of the programme.

As an equity analyst, Tobias is responsible for providing financial modelling, valuation, sector and stock specific research to support the construction of the New Zealand and Australian equity portfolios.