Independent since 2008, and determinedly so now, we adopted the Armillary name in 2009.
The name derives from the armillary sphere that the Greeks used to solve astronomical problems. It seemed a fitting metaphor for what we do as a business, navigating the way through sometimes dark and stormy waters.
Our investment banking services include raising debt/equity, selling/buying businesses, and mergers. We offer advisory services for business decision making, governance, valuations and independent reviews. We provide financial training, asset management, and operate markets for capital raising, liquidity, and value creation through direct investments in alternative asset classes.
You can judge us by the company we keep.
Our track record and case studies speak for us far better than we can.
Armillary advised New Zealand Dairy Dessert Company (NZDDC) on its acquisition of selected assets from Little Island, a New Zealand-based plant-based creamery.
The acquisition adds dairy-free ice cream, milk, yoghurt and cream to NZDDC’s portfolio, broadening its product range and market reach. Little Island’s established retail distribution across 300+ stores and export relationships in Asia-Pacific complement NZDDC’s existing channels.
The transaction also supports NZDDC’s recent contract with LSG Sky Chefs to supply Air New Zealand with premium ice cream, reinforcing its position in both traditional and plant-based frozen dessert markets.
Armillary advised on the sale of Naked Kitchen and Prep Kitchen to Sanitarium and Life Health Foods.
Naked Kitchen is known for its premium chilled soups and ready meals, while Prep Kitchen specialises in large-format condiments for the food service sector. Both brands enjoy strong market recognition and customer loyalty across New Zealand.
The transaction enhances the Sanitarium's product portfolio and market reach, supporting future growth and innovation.
Armillary advised Snap Rentals and its shareholders on the sale to D&D Holdings Co Ltd, a Japanese investment group with operations spanning car rental, vehicle sales, leasing and export.
Snap Rentals is a leading provider of digital-first car rental services, known for its innovative off-airport model and strong national presence across New Zealand.
The transaction consideration included a combination of cash and strategic investment from D&D Holdings, positioning Snap for accelerated growth under new ownership.
Armillary advised Veritide on its successful capital raise, securing over $2.1 million, well above the initial $1.5 million target.
Veritide develops advanced technology for detecting contamination in the red meat sector. The new capital will support the company’s growth and commercial expansion.
The raise attracted strong support from existing and new investors, including a key introduction via NZTE’s Active Investor Plus programme.
Armillary acted as Sole Arranger for the financing of Ngāti Toa’s acquisition of over 80 hectares of land in the Hutt Valley, including multiple school sites, under the Deferred Selection Properties (DSP) arrangement.
The acquisition builds on a previous transaction completed in May 2022, bringing the total to 230 hectares of whenua across 67 school sites in Porirua, Wellington, and the Hutt Valley. All sites remain leased to the Crown, ensuring continued educational use while generating long-term income for the iwi.
This transaction reflects the iwi’s Treaty settlement under the Ngāti Toa Rangatira Claims Settlement Act 2014, balancing cultural reclamation with economic development.
Armillary is proud to have supported Ngāti Toa in this significant milestone, alongside key partners including the Ministry of Education, Pupuke Property Consultancy, major banks, investment funds, and legal advisors.
Armillary is part of M&A Worldwide, a network of independent M&A Worldwide advisory firms with 46 offices across 36 countries.
Being part of the M&A Worldwide network gives Armillary access to a large collection of buyers, sellers and merger candidates around the world. Members of M&A Worldwide work together to fulfil client needs locally and internationally. M&A Worldwide provides Armillary and its clients with real global reach.
David Wallace- Auckland & Wanaka: has over 30 years of experience in the capital markets in NZ and Europe. David’s key areas of expertise include asset management, debt and equity raising, mergers acquisitions and divestments and corporate treasury. He has key responsibility for managing the Unlisted Securities Exchange a prescribed exempt financial product market and Crowdsphere a licenced equity crowdfunding and peer-to-peer lending platform.
Has had corporate treasury roles for Winstone Limited, NZ Steel, and Clear Communications and worked for JP Morgan (formerly Ord Minnett).
Bachelor of Commerce and a Diploma in Business (Finance) from Canterbury University and the University of Auckland respectively.
Recent governance positions include Invest South – Independent Director, NZ Crane Hire – Independent Director, Startup Queenstown Lakes - Chair and Mainland Angel Investors – Director, CLSA Premium – Chair, Snowsports NZ - Chair.
Leon Grandy- Wellington: has a background in structured finance, corporate banking, and executive management. During his time at Armillary, he has trained thousands of people globally on various financial, risk, and management topics. He has spent over 25 years working for major financial institutions such as ABN AMRO, AXA, HSBC, and Westpac. Leon is particularly active across the advisory and training sides of Armillary’s business. Since 2020 he has been the contract Pou Pūtea - Treasurer for Te Rūnunga o Toa Rangatira. This role has seen him intimately involved in a wide range of commercial initiatives to increase the mana and prosperity of this Wellington based iwi.
Leon is currently on the boards of: Keith Andrews Holdings; Fuso New Zealand; TRA Group; Advantage Group International, along with several Ngāti Toa related entities. Leon is also a Senior Fellow of the Finance Insurance and Securities Institute of Australasia (FINSIA): a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (GAICD), as well as being a Chartered Banker. He is a Graduate of: Victoria University of Wellington (twice); Massey University, and Officer Cadet School NZ
Martin Gray – Auckland: has over 30 years of corporate finance experience in Asia, New Zealand and Europe. Martin’s key areas of expertise include mergers and acquisitions, business disposals, capital raisings.
Previously head of M&A for EY in New Zealand.
Bachelor of Commerce and a Diploma in Business (Finance) from the University of Auckland. CA and CPP holder
Recent governance positions include Spectrum Consulting – Independent Director, Airwork - Independent Director and Chair of Audit and Risk Committee, Whanganui Collegiate School – Chair of College Board.
Geoff Davis – Wellington: has over 30 years of experience in finance and investment markets. Geoff’s key areas of expertise are in valuations, M&A and capital raising.
Geoff has had senior roles with TeamTalk (now Vital), Active Equities, Brierley Investments and National Mutual / AXA Funds Management.
Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Auckland. ACA member of Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand.
Recent governance positions include Hortus – advisory board and NZX listed Vital Limited – director.
Peter Bosworth – Christchurch: has over 30 years of experience in the agribusiness, commercial and corporate sectors in Westpac, other financial institutions and advisory firms. He has held senior and executive roles focused on mergers, acquisitions and divestments, equity and debt capital raising, business strategy and growth and governance. He has a special interest in agribusiness and the primary sector.
He holds a Commerce degree from Lincoln University and an MBA from Canterbury University.
He’s an active advisory board member for a number of private agriculture related firms.
Mark Steed – Auckland: has over 30 years of experience in banking and finance in the UK, Australia and NZ. Mark's key areas of expertise include mergers and acquisitions, leverage finance, debt capital markets, project, asset and corporate finance, with specific focus to the Primary, Property, Corporate and Commercial sectors. Mark brings a wealth of experience in banking working with a wide range of domestic and international clients and networks on capital raising and structure funding solutions.
Previously held executive and leadership banking roles in Corporate, Commercial, Institutional, Agri and Property with Barclays UK and Westpac in NZ.
Mark is an Associate of the Chartered Institute of Bankers and has undertaken Executive Leadership programmes through University of Auckland and Macquarie Graduate School of Management.
Karl Bennett – Auckland: has over 20 years of experience as a commercial executive in New Zealand, the UK and Poland. Karl's key areas of expertise include managing globally diverse teams and stakeholders, mergers & acquisitions activity, due diligence, debt & capital raising, IT and operational systems set-up and refinement and the building, analysis of and reporting of financial and/or operating models for consolidated groups, joint ventures, companies or projects.
Bachelor of Business Studies from Massey University and a Post Graduate Diploma in Accounting from the University of Auckland. CA holder.
Karl's current governance positions are: Natural Sugars - Chair, Pure Bottling - Chair, Premium Liquor Co - Chair, Global Endeavours Australia - Chair.
Nigel has had more than 30 years’ experience specialising in business improvement and turnaround management, including 5 years as CEO of McCallum Petterson and leading its business improvement and turnaround division.
Nigel provides governance and management support for businesses needing hands-on help to undertake change, frequently in circumstances of business distress, and in migrating businesses towards a more robust approach to governance. His experience spans a wide range of business sectors. Prior to his role at McCallum Petterson Nigel was a shareholder/director of a large Wellington-based IT services company. Nigel holds the degrees of Bachelor of Commerce and Administration and Master of Business Administration from Victoria University of Wellington.
We offer a range of services to assist businesses in achieving their financial goals, including investment banking, advisory services, financial training, and asset management.
Our team is dedicated to helping clients improve their financial decisions and business performance, while also providing access to marketplaces for capital raising and liquidity.
- All
- Auckland
- Christchurch
- Wellington
Amanda joined Armillary in March 2022 as a Senior Manager in our Auckland office. Having spent the last five years in London, Amanda brings with her a wealth of international experience in investment, strategy and operations.
Prior to joining Armillary, she was the Chief Operating Officer for a UK technology company and held various positions in New Zealand Trade and Enterprise’s Investment Team. Amanda holds a Bachelor of Commerce and Administration from Victoria University, majoring in Economics, Finance and Commercial Law with First Class Honours in Economics.
Logan joined Armillary in January 2023 as a Manager in our Christchurch Office.
Before this, Logan was based in the UK for five years and held various roles with SMBC covering power and renewable energy project finance. Logan holds a Bachelor of Commerce in Finance and Marketing from the University of Canterbury.
Jono brings a wealth of experience to the team, having worked both as an analyst and a commercial banker before moving abroad in 2019. Jono is based in our Wellington office.
His most recent role was in renewable energy project finance in the UK. Jono holds a Bachelor of Commerce majoring in Finance and International Business from the University of Canterbury.
Anahita joined Armillary in February 2024 as a Manager in our Auckland office. Anahita joins us from Green Cross Health’s M&A team and has over 4 years of experience working in venture capital across India & New Zealand.
Anahita holds a Masters and Bachelor of Commerce majoring in Accounting and Finance both from University of Mumbai.
Clarissa joined Armillary in July 2024 as a Senior Analyst in the Wellington office
Before joining Armillary, Clarissa completed her Master of Finance in Sweden. Prior to this, she worked at a Boutique Investment Bank as an Analyst and at a life insurance company as an Actuarial Analyst. She comes with more than three years’ experience in M&A, Capital Raising and Corporate Finance Engagements.
Alfie joined Armillary in June 2024 as an Analyst in our Auckland office.
Prior to joining the team, Alfie was working at PwC in the derivative valuation team (MVD). Alfie has recently passed his CFA Level 1 exam and holds a Bachelor of Commerce, majoring in Finance and Accounting from Otago University, finishing his studies the University of Edinburgh.
Kharmen was most recently working at the NZ Consulate, in the Sydney Office.
Kharmen is currently studying her Master of Finance and has a Bachelor of Business Majoring in Finance, both at Massey University.
Lucy joined Armillary in March 2025 as an in our Christchurch office.
Lucy has a background in rural banking, having worked at Rabobank NZ in both front-line and credit roles. Most recently, she was part of the Corporate Ag team at Westpac Australia. Lucy holds a Bachelor of Commerce (Agriculture) from Lincoln University.
George joined Armillary in December 2021 as our Group Finance Manager and AML Compliance Officer. He joins us after almost ten years working in public practice specialising in business advisory services. George is based at our Wellington office.
George holds a Bachelor of Commerce and Administration in Accounting and Commercial Law from Victoria University of Wellington, in addition George is a Chartered Accountant accredited by CAANZ.
Nayan joined Armillary in April 2024 as a Communications and Marketing Associate in our Auckland office.
Nayan holds a Bachelor of Communications from the Auckland University of Technology. He has previously worked in communication and marketing roles in the government relations space as well as the fashion and FMCG industries. Nayan has also held a multitude of creative roles in the music, film and television industry.
Gauthier joined Armillary in February 2025 as an in our Auckland office.
Gauthier is currently finishing his Master of Finance at IESEG School of Management in France. Before joining Armillary, he worked as a Transaction Services Analyst at Mazars and as an M&A Analyst at a French boutique investment bank, MBA Capital.
What is investment banking?
What do I need an Investment Bank’s help for?
First, the experience of the people who will be advising you. Second, their ability to look at your business objectively. Third, their honesty in helping you see what the best solution might be. Fourth, their connections and networks to be able to solve your capital needs.
What is Asset Management?
Why do I need Advisory Services?
Advisory services help improve business performance through better financial management, a new governance model, and a focus on identifying the drivers of value within your business.
What are alternative assets or alternative investments?
What is Equity Crowdfunding?
What is mezzanine capital?
Mezzanine capital, also known as mezzanine financing, is a hybrid of debt financing that fills the gap between senior debt and equity in the capital structure of a company.
What is mezzanine financing?
Mezzanine financing refers to a type of funding that sits between senior debt and equity in the capital stack. It is typically used to support expansion, acquisition, or recapitalisation efforts.
Mezzanine financing involves providing capital to a company in exchange for a subordinated debt instrument that pays a higher rate of interest than traditional senior debt but a lower cost of capital than equity.
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