Meet the team
Understanding.
That’s what we offer better than anyone else.
Daniel Mathieson
Senior Broker and Director
Daniel loves building relationships with his clients and seeing their businesses grow and succeed. Whether he’s working with tradies or office professionals, he prides himself on delivering solid guidance and support for his clients.
He’s built a reputation in the industry as an energetic professional whose understanding across all avenues of insurance, and passionate advocacy for his clients, sets him apart and has led him to win numerous industry awards.
Christchurch born and bred, he’s often out exercising or spending time with his young family. If you see him at the pub, make sure you grab a beer or a whisky with him.
Richard Hinks
Broker
Richard got into insurance straight after completing his Bachelor of Commerce degree at the University of Canterbury, and soon fell for the brokerage world where he could build better relationships with a variety of clients – and get out of the office, gaining valuable insights into how businesses work.
With experience in both small and corporate brokerage firms over the last decade, Richard sees Sherpa as the small brokerage doing big things for local businesses: he reckons nothing should be ‘above and beyond’ when it comes to delivering an exceptionally high level of service for our clients. A big believer in building trust through honesty, he’s known for fighting hard for his clients’ coverage when things go pear-shaped.
Originally from Timaru, Richard’s a sports mad family man with a love of the great New Zealand outdoors. If he’s not enjoying a drink and watching the game at No. 4 then he’s out on the rugby field, the cricket pitch, or on the snow with his young family.
Charlotte Deane
Broker
Having cut her teeth in earthquake claim settlements, Charlotte is driven by a passion for “doing the right thing” and is a big advocate for old-fashioned service. She combines this approach with the latest industry offerings so that her clients always get the best – little wonder she’s quick to go from rapport to lasting relationships!
Add in her formidable knack for organisation and ability to pre-empt roadblocks before they happen, and Charlotte is really a master of “being on top of it all”.
A self-described “introverted extrovert”, when Charlotte’s not leading the charge for her clients’, she’s tending her garden or enjoying a park walk with her hubby, two kids and two pugs in tow.
Brad Mackenzie
Broker
Brad started his career in rural insurance back in 2011, before embarking on an entrepreneurial adventure in retail following the Canterbury earthquakes. He transitioned back to the industry, eventually making his way to Sherpa.
His extensive experience in both commercial insurance and business ownership has provided him with a unique perspective and an ability to ensure his clients receive solutions-based advice and effective coverage.
Brad has a calm demeanour, a can-do attitude and brings a whole lot of knowledge and energy to the Sherpa team.
With a young family and a love of rugby, Brad’s a busy man. And while he’s hung up his rugby boots, he now enjoys sharing his skills by coaching the local college’s First XV team.
Sophie Hamilton
Claims Advocate
After working for some of the biggest insurers in Australia, Christchurch-born Sophie has returned to her home turf and is proudly fighting for her clients as one of Sherpa’s Claims Advocates.
Sophie enjoys a challenge, and says it’s the diversity of both clients and claims that have kept her in the industry after more than a decade. Her ability to put herself in other peoples’ shoes, and to think outside the box at claims time, have made her a standout in brokerage today.
With a young daughter, Sophie’s a busy mum – but she still makes time to re-explore Canterbury, enjoy a good coffee, and indulge in a good crime documentary.
Kristin Hanna
Broker Support
With almost two decades of experience in insurance, Kristin has built a reputation for delivering a high level of care for our clients. She understands the real value in building face-to-face relationships, asking the right questions, and understanding what our clients need and deserve.
Kristin’s often the first point of contact for many of our clients. With an exceptional ability to hone in on the finer details while keeping the bigger picture in focus, she’s well placed to provide general support to our brokers and handle a wide variety of challenges.
A lover of travel, Kristin lived and worked in Dubai for a number of years. Now back home to Christchurch, she’s often out exploring the region with her spaniel, Louie.
Rachael Bateman
Broker Support
While Rachael reckons she fell into insurance, her love of helping and supporting people has kept her in the industry for more than 30 years and delivering client-first support across insurance and brokerage. Fortunately for us, she’s brought that with her to Sherpa as a Broker Support – along with considerable experience and ability to build strong bonds with clients.
Rachael’s known for providing a depth of trusted service and compassion that’s second to none in the industry. With experience across Christchurch’s earthquake period, she’s also first to understand the importance of leading with consideration and care – especially at high-stress times, and when getting the best for her clients.
In her spare time, Rachael enjoys reading ‘anything and everything’, or pottering in the garden. She spends a lot of time with family and friends, as well as checking out local restaurants and the city’s newest hot spots.
Anshal Devi
Broker Support
Originally from Fiji, Anshal worked in a variety of roles for big multinationals before she joined the close-knit Sherpa team as Broker Support. She brings with her a genuine desire to help others – and learn from them too – that has helped her form great bonds across the active industry.
Not one to ‘tick the boxes’ for the sake of it, Anshal approaches documentation, systems and processes with a knack that’s hard to beat - and she does it all with a smile on her face.
Anshal is keen to visit her dream travel destinations of Dubai and Athens eventually, but for now, her getaways are into the garden patch or enjoying quality time with her partner and young daughter.
Rosie Burton
Broker Support
Rosie started her career with one of the country’s biggest direct insurance providers, growing from support staff to handling her own book of clients. Now a member of the Sherpa team, Rosie’s friendly guidance and intelligent insights make her invaluable as one of our Broker Supports.
Known for her excellent communications skills and ability to demystify insurance, Rosie cares about her clients and is passionate about building strong relationships – this is what drives her to get the right coverage and the best results at claims time.
Make sure you ask Rosie about her latest art project. A keen watercolourist and photographer, she’s often exploring the region with a camera in tow, trying to best capture the scenery.
Lynette Moore
Client Services Coordinator
Lynette brings over 30 years of experience in the insurance industry across New Zealand and Australia to the team at Sherpa. As Client Services Coordinator, she plays a key role in ensuring the team delivers high quality advice and stays well informed in the ever-evolving insurance landscape.
With her extensive industry knowledge and hands-on experience in owning and operating small businesses, Lynette knows exactly what clients expect and the level of advice they deserve.
Outside of the office, Lynette enjoys spending time outdoors, tending to her garden, and unwinding with a glass of wine or two.
Claire Keall
Office Manager
With diverse experience across HR, in advisory roles, and as an administration expert, Claire’s impressive experience is the reason the day-to-day operations at Sherpa HQ run so smoothly. She trusts her gut, remembers everything, and puts the procedures in place so that it goes right every time.
As our Office Manager, Claire’s eyes aren’t just turned to helping our team ‘do the do’ with her formidable admin know-how and top-tier service – she’s got a knack of solving the problems others don’t know they have, taking away the stresses of our brokerage team, and establishing best practices so that we can use our time most effectively.
Outside of work, Claire considers herself a “homebody”, happy to curl up with a pulpy novel and a glass of red wine.
