Doing things differently
For three decades, a Christchurch firm has redefined financial advice with a client-first philosophy.
When Cambridge Partners marked its 30th anniversary in 2024, it wasn’t just a celebration of longevity; it was a reaffirmation of a philosophy that has guided the firm since day one: to do things differently.
The story began in Christchurch in 1994, when Andrew Nuttall, Jacob Wolt, and Dave Bradley asked a simple question over a backyard barbecue: “What kind of firm would we trust with our own money?” Their answer became Bradley Nuttall Ltd, a business built on trust, transparency, and independence.
That same commitment resurfaced in 2009 with the creation of iQ² Private Wealth Ltd, founded by Richard Austin and Steve Mander. Both had experience working with large institutions and had seen the pitfalls of product-driven financial advice. They wanted something better, a model where clients came first, and financial advice was objective, not influenced by commissions or conflicts of interest.
In 2017, these two like-minded firms merged to form Cambridge Partners, combining decades of experience and a shared belief in unbiased, client-first advice. The name reflects that ethos: Cambridge evokes knowledge and tradition, while Partners highlights the relationships at the heart of the business. Even the logo carries meaning; the Greek letter Phi (φ) symbolises the Golden Ratio, representing balance, harmony, and excellence.
Cambridge Partners is proudly fee-only, a structure that ensures financial advice is always in the client’s best interest. In fact, the firm was an early adopter of the Aegis platform back in 1998, well before fee-based advice became industry standard.
“From the start, we’ve put ourselves in our clients’ shoes,” says Andrew Nuttall. “I thought, what sort of financial adviser would I want? It’s like the medical profession, you expect a doctor to prescribe what’s best for you, not what earns them a commission.”
That principle still drives the firm today. “Often when we deal with a new client, there’s a life transition happening,” explains CEO James Howard. “It might be the sale of a business or farm, receiving an inheritance, paying off the mortgage, or planning for a new phase of life.” The focus is on helping clients put in place a plan that addresses the concerns and worries they have and allows them to move forward and build a better life.
Education is central to the process. “Investment is a big decision,” James says. “Most people jump straight into investing without being clear on what they really want. Our focus is on understanding what matters to them, then building a plan and strategy to get there. The investment decisions follow from that.”
Cambridge Partners takes a generational view. “Our fee-only structure works because we’re thinking about the next 20 or 30 years, not the next three months,” James says. “We believe investing in long-term relationships drives better long-term investment outcomes for our clients.”
Ultimately, it’s about clarity and confidence. “If we’ve added that to someone’s life, that’s incredibly satisfying,” adds Andrew. “It’s their money, investing should empower them to do what they want in life.”
Three decades on from a simple backyard question, Cambridge Partners continues to lead with a philosophy that puts people first.