Martyn Henderson

Director, CA

Martyn Henderson joined The Advisory Group in 2008 as a Senior Manager. Prior to this he had worked at two large firms for over 10 years. In 2011 he was promoted to Associate Director before becoming a shareholder in 2012 and then being appointed Director in April 2015.

Martyn has worked alongside a wide range of clients and has extensive experience in providing taxation and business advice to clients across many industries.

A large part of his time is spent assisting clients with their regular reporting needs which can involve strategic planning, budgeting, monthly financial reporting, taxation and business advice. He believes that whilst getting the numbers right is important, interpreting them and allowing clients to understand them is key. Only then can clients make informed and timely business decisions.

Martyn enjoys working closely with clients and is driven by seeing them achieve their goals.

Outside of work, Martyn can generally be found either at the gym or planning his next travels.

 

Martyn Henderson
Director, CA

Email: martyn.henderson@theadvisorygroup.nz
DDI: + 64 9 308 4050
Mobile: + 64 274 607 416

Sudhir Lala

Director, CA

Sudhir has had a diverse career trajectory, starting with Ernst & Young in Business Advisory Services, where he gained valuable experience assisting clients with proactive and practical business solutions. He then transitioned to The Advisory Group as one of its inaugural staff members in 2006. In 2017, Sudhir, along with his business partner Martyn Henderson, completed a management buy-out to take over the company.

In his role, Sudhir works with a broad spectrum of clients, including business and professional firms, as well as high net worth individuals. His focus is on helping them achieve business success by providing tailored structuring advice and delivering tax and financial services to meet each client’s unique objectives.

Additionally, Sudhir serves as a Trustee for several client Trusts, ensuring that they serve their intended purposes, comply with relevant legislation, and are governed correctly. This responsibility plays a crucial role in protecting the wealth that clients have accumulated.

 

Sudhir Lala
Director, CA

Email: sudhir.lala@theadvisorygroup.nz
DDI + 64 9 308 4055
Mobile: + 64 21 521 565

Graham Lawrence

Director, CA

Graham joined The Advisory Group as Tax Director in 2022 and leads the Tax Advisory Practice.

Graham has over 23 years’ experience in tax and governance including obtaining binding rulings and tax policy work. Along with providing clients with innovative solutions to complex tax issues, he is also a regular author and speaker on tax topics.

Graham is always fully up to date with the latest tax and legislative developments affecting Kiwi businesses, especially those that have Trans-Tasman interests. His intimate understanding of these rules of engagement, combined with his ability to provide commercially practical advice, are what his clients value most.

 

Graham Lawrence
Director, CA

Email: graham.lawrence@theadvisorygroup.nz
DDI + 64 9 308 4031
Mobile: + 64 21 271 0233

Brendan Lewis

Associate Director

Brendan Lewis started as an accountant at a mid-tier firm in sunny Hawkes Bay over 12 years ago. Brendan joined The Advisory Group in 2019 as a Senior Manager after working at a large firm in Auckland. Prior experience has also included heading up the accounting team for a New Zealand business that operated across five countries. 

Brendan has worked with a wide range of clients with businesses and investments. Particular experience includes working with groups that have a large number of entities, clients with significant commercial property investments and businesses in the accommodation sector including hotels.

Outside of the office Brendan enjoys food, travel and walks.

Brendan Lewis
Associate Director

Email: brendan.lewis@theadvisorygroup.nz
DDI: + 64 9 308 4053
Mobile: 021 256 2672
 

 

Karen Au

Associate Director

Karen is Associate Director at The Advisory Group. Prior to joining the team, she had over 12 years’ experience working with KPMG and 2 large professional firms in New Zealand, providing assistance with accounting and tax requirements, as well as strategy, leadership and business development advice.

She has considerable experience working with both private and public sectors. This include overseeing outsourced finance functions and providing assistance with financial and management accounting requirements according to various stakeholder needs and financial reporting standards. Karen has particular interests in high net worth, international business, manufacturing and wholesale/distributing industries. 

Drawing on her multilingual and cross-cultural skills, and a people person with passion in leadership and culture, Karen is an accredited Team Management Services® consultant and enjoys working with management teams to understand their team and staff dynamics to improve individual, team and organisational performance.

Outside of the office, Karen enjoys music, travelling, and trying out new cuisines.

Karen Au
Associate Director

Email: karen.au@theadvisorygroup.nz
DDI: + 64 9 308 4036
Mobile: 021 984 212
 

Katherine Platt

Practice Manager

Katherine joined The Advisory Group in May 2008 and is responsible for the administration of our Taxation Register and all Companies Office functions, looking after the day to day running of our office.

Before joining The Advisory Group, Katherine worked for ten years as the Professional Development Officer for the National Institute of Accountants.

Katherine has previously worked in the United Kingdom and lived for a number of years in the Republic of Ireland where she worked in one of the top three law firms in Dublin as the Personal Assistant for a Senior Partner.

During her career, Katherine has developed skills essential when working within high profile and demanding job environments, including attention to detail and the ability to manage a range of different tasks to meet deadlines.

In her free time, she enjoys reading (especially mystery novels), catching up with friends and sleeping in!

 

Katherine Platt
Practice Manager

Email: katherine.platt@theadvisorygroup.nz
DDI: + 64 9 308 4031
Mobile: + 64 21 029 60608