Success Together
The Story of IFAA

Born from the merger of two respected groups, IFAA is proudly member-owned, Adviser-driven, and committed to supporting independent success.

Who We Are

IFAA is the new home for New Zealand’s independent financial Advisers. Formed by the joining of two highly respected groups, the Triple A Advisers Association and Plus4 Insurance Solutions, we bring together the best of both worlds with deep industry experience, trusted relationships, and a commitment to backing advisers to succeed on their own terms.

IFAA brand promise – Success Together
IFAA merger – combining Triple A and Plus4 expertise

Our Story

In 2024, two organisations with a shared vision came together to create something even stronger. The merger of Triple A and Plus4 was not just about growth, it was about building a future-proof network where advisers could stay independent, retain full ownership of their businesses and access real support when they need it most.

Together as IFAA, we offer a broader, deeper support system for advisers across New Zealand while keeping the same strong focus on adviser ownership, transparency and integrity that has always set us apart.

Our Commitment

At IFAA, we believe in putting advisers first. Every member is a shareholder, every voice matters, and every success is celebrated together. We back our members with practical tools, training, claims support, and a genuine community of peers, helping advisers build thriving businesses without giving up their independence.
Handshake representing trust and transparency at IFAA

Our Brand Promise

At IFAA, we believe success should never be a solo journey.

Our brand promise, "Success Together," reflects our commitment to empowering Advisers, partners, and stakeholders alike. It is our guiding principle and the benchmark that shapes everything we do.

This promise defines what sets us apart. It speaks to collaboration, support, and shared progress, values that underpin every interaction, solution, and service we offer.

IFAA Values

Our values reflect what matters most to us — they’re the foundation of our purpose, our decisions, and our commitment to the members and communities we serve.

Authenticity

We operate authentically in all our actions, ensuring we create a culture of integrity and consistency in our operations and communications.

Professional

We pride ourselves on operating to the highest standard; to ensure all work is completed without fault. We behave professionally, treating everyone with consideration and respect.

Inspiring

Helping our Adviser members to be the best by fostering a culture of shared ideas, mutual support, and motivation to succeed. Together, we empower each other to grow and thrive, with members supporting members on the journey to success.

Knowledgeable

Empowering our members to address challenges and opportunities, driving our collective success and reinforcing our reputation amongst our members – both current and potential and our suppliers. Providing both compliance and regulatory support.

Independence

We value our members independence and protect it with passion, this enables our members to operate with flexibility and adaptability, allowing them to quickly respond to industry changes and opportunities. Supportive, being independent doesn’t have to mean doing it on your own!

What Sets IFAA Apart

At IFAA, we stand for adviser ownership, true independence, trusted support, and a strong community. We provide everything you need to succeed on your terms.

Adviser
Ownership

Every member is a shareholder, ensuring decisions are made by advisers for advisers.

Genuine
Independence

We back advisers to grow their own businesses without losing control or autonomy.

Trusted
Support

With practical tools, claims support, and real-world advice, we stand behind our members every step of the way.

Strength
Through
Community

Connection, peer support, and shared experience set IFAA apart in an industry where advisers are often left to go it alone.

Get to Know Our Central Office Team

Our close-knit support team works behind the scenes to assist our advisers across New Zealand and keep everything running seamlessly.

MaryAnne Tod-Smith

Based in sunny Nelson, MaryAnne joined Plus4 in 2013 and has been part of the IFAA team since the 2024 merger. With a strong background in account management and administrative support, she works closely with the General Manager to ensure smooth day-to-day operations across the organisation. MaryAnne also plays a key role in coordinating the group’s annual conferences – a highlight in the adviser calendar year.

Grant Uridge

Grant Uridge brings extensive leadership and industry experience to his role as IFAA’s General Manager. A long-time supporter of the group, he previously chaired the Plus4 Board for six years and was also a member of the TripleA. Grant has a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing advisers.

Grant’s career has included senior roles at Farmers Mutual and General Manager of the Unit Trust Company Joseph Banks Trust, part of Colonial Mutual. He has also held Board positions within industry bodies such as the Insurance and Savings Ombudsman and the Investment Funds Association.

Over the last 25 years, Grant has built a successful insurance practice. In 2024, he and his business partner sold their business to Lifetime Group, where he has been assisting the Group in the group insurance space.

Known for his collaborative approach and strategic insight, Grant is focused on strengthening IFAA’s member value and ensuring the group’s continued success.

 

Tim Rosenbrook

Tim is a skilled strategic marketing professional with over 25 years of experience developing marketing strategies for many New Zealand and international market-leading businesses. He specialises in a marketing approach that is customer-focused and measurable and has been assisting with the group marketing and brand strategy and delivery since 2015.

Based in Wellington with his wife Jo and two children he enjoys diving, surfing and a bit of part-time coaching for his children’s various sports teams.

Meet the IFAA Board

As a member-owned organisation, it’s only fitting that IFAA’s governance is led by advisers themselves. Get to know the team representing our members.

Mark Sheehan

Mark joined the Plus4 Board in 2019 and was appointed Chair in April 2023; he has continued in this role on the IFAA board since the 2024 merger. Based in Nelson, he is a financial adviser and insurance broker with a Bachelor of Commerce in business and finance from Auckland University, and a Graduate Diploma in Business Studies (financial planning) from Massey University.

David Jochem

Appointed to the Plus4 Board in November 2023, David also transferred to the IFAA Board upon the merger in 2024. David brings more than 25 years’ experience in the financial services industry, with a focus on insurance risk advice. He founded Insure Ltd in 2014, and continues to prioritise strong, trusted client relationships and future-focused planning.

Samuel Rees-Thomas

Samuel is a highly regarded financial adviser who worked in the banking sector before establishing his own successful insurance advisory practice in Wellington. Samuel has been a director of Plus4 since November 2020.

Ian Jordan

Ian joined the IFAA Board at the 2024 merger, transferring across from the board of the TripleA Advisers Association. Ian has over 40 years of experience as a Financial Adviser. Ian specialises in personal and business insurance, mortgages, retirement planning and UK pension transfers to New Zealand. He is a member of Financial Advice NZ and the Millon Dollar Round Table (MDRT).

Warren Borlase

Self-employed as a financial adviser since 1986, Warren is always striving to improve the quality of service provided to clients while keeping ahead of public demand for improving standards of practice. Warren pursues an active program of continuing education and has been a Life Member of the Million Dollar Round Table since 1988.

Gemma Pope

  • Director

Gemma also joined the IFAA Board at the 2024 merger, having previously served on the TripleA Advisers Association board. Gemma joined her father Chris Pope’s Insurance and Investment advisory business in 2006 after earning a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Otago. She continued her studies with a Graduate Diploma in Business with an endorsement in Personal Risk Management, gaining the CLU designation. She now runs the family business alongside her father while balancing her role as a mother of three and supporting her husband's building company.

With 19 years in the industry, she has realised her true passion is people, and helping them create robust financial plans for their future is so rewarding. Clients’ needs are constantly changing, and walking with them along the journey is actually lots of fun.

Every adviser's journey is different. Where are you headed?

Join a community that backs you from day one. Take our quiz today and see if IFAA is the right fit for your journey.