Richard Holden was educated at St. Bede’s College in Christchurch. After trying his hand at various occupations from truck driving in Western Australia to owning a painting and decorating business, Richard started with National Mutual (NML) at age 22. He spent 14 years with NML being part of the early development of the financial planning profession in New Zealand.

Richard has over 30 years experience in financial services, ranging from front line sales, sales management, regional management and company directorships. He has mentored many successful advisers and managers and continues to do so as part of his commitment to the financial planning and advisory industry. Outside of work Richard has been involved in rugby administration as past president of the Marist Rugby Football Club in Christchurch and a past member of the general committee of the Canterbury Rugby Union. Richard is married to Eileen, with three adult children, Rebecca, Daniel and Andrew. He is a keen golfer, reluctant gym attendee, rambler and not too adventurous mountain biker. He likes to get about in the wonderful New Zealand outdoors. He also likes recreational reading, harness racing, music and singing. Politically he rates himself right of centre, having served as Gerry Brownlee’s election campaign chairman.

Richard founded the forerunner of Milestone Financial Services (Canterbury) Ltd in May 1996. Richard has numerous industry and tertiary qualifications, the main ones being the Graduate Diploma in Business Studies endorsed in Personal Financial Planning and the New Zealand Diploma in Life Insurance. Richard holds the highest designation in the financial planning and insurance advisory colleges of the Institute of Financial Advisers. These designations being Certified Financial Planner (CFPcm) and Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU) which are internationally recognised “best practice” certifications. These qualifications are much higher than the minimum qualification standards required to be an authorized financial adviser (AFA).