Roy Thompson

Co-Founder, Managing Director

Roy co-founded New Ground to apply his unique blend of experience and skills to identifying and implementing opportunities that contribute to the betterment of New Zealand’s environment and society.

He has an extensive career in local and international banking and finance. A member of the team that established the National Bank Private Bank in the early 1990s, Roy then joined Deutsche Bank’s Wealth Management business in Asia and was subsequently appointed Global Head of Product Management and Investment Services, based in London. More recently, he led Westpac’s national Private Wealth Management business and the Business Bank for the Auckland region.

Alongside this, Roy has started, grown and operated successful businesses spanning manufacturing, hospitality, aviation leasing and investment management.

Roy was a founding board member of the Westpac Massey Financial Education and Research Centre and chaired the establishment board of the Ministry of Education’s Remarkables Primary School.

Roy and his wife, Rachel, are custodians of the 400 acre Mamaku Point Conservation Reserve on Rakiura Stewart Island, where they are focused on protecting and restoring the biodiversity, and re-establishing the school camp facility.