Team

Unlocking

opportunity

We’re the Clare Capital team. We’re committed to our clients and enjoy getting to know them. We work hard and have fun together. We’re serious about what we do, but we have a laugh while we’re doing it.

Mark Clare

Managing Partner

Mark is the founder of Clare Capital and works primarily with clients to help them complete transactions.

Mark has over 25 years’ commercial and corporate finance experience, with a background in investment banking, strategy, and technology. Mark has completed a multitude of M&A transactions for large entities and private companies.

Mark holds an MBA (with distinction) from Victoria University and a Bachelor of Business Studies (Accountancy) from Massey University. Mark is a Certified Member of the Institute of Finance Professionals New Zealand Inc.

Vicky Upton

General Manager

Vicky’s past life in marketing and advertising gives her a fresh perspective that she brings to our work and clients. With experience in both the public and private sectors, Vicky has a strong understanding of what makes people, organisations, and businesses tick.

Vicky coordinates client services, as well as our strategic direction, business development and the smooth running of the office.

Vicky holds a Post-Graduate Diploma in Media Studies from Massey University and a Bachelor of Arts with Honours (History) from Victoria University.

Alex Gordon

Partner

Alex has spent over 12 years working in both the United States and New Zealand. He has provided corporate finance advice and modelling services to the public and private sectors and worked with some of the world’s largest technology companies.

Before Clare Capital, Alex worked in PwC’s Corporate Finance and Value Consulting teams.

Alex holds a Bachelor of Commerce (Finance and Economics) from Victoria University and is a CFA charterholder. He is a previous winner and question designer of the Financial Modelling World Championships.

Peter Taylor

Director

Peter brings investor experience to the table, having worked for Venture Capital firm, Movac, and Private Equity firm, Rangatira Investments, before joining Clare Capital. He has skills in capital raising, financial analysis, value creation and strategic advisory work.

Peter is a three-time Olympian and was a Bronze Medallist at the London 2012 Olympics in rowing.

He holds a Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting and Finance) from Auckland University and a Post-Graduate Diploma in Advanced Sport Management from Massey University.

Eliot Brown

Associate

Eliot has a background in finance and investment banking. He has experience in mergers and acquisitions (M&A), capital raises, strategy, valuation, and financial modelling. Prior to joining Clare Capital in 2019, Eliot worked for an agricultural focused investment bank.

Eliot holds a Master of Commerce (Finance) and Bachelor of Commerce (Economics, International Business and Finance, minor in Spanish) from Victoria University.

Eliot spent his first year after high school teaching in Argentina and a university trimester studying finance in Medellín Colombia, where the classes were in Spanish.

Eliot Schwartfeger

Associate

Eliot worked as an Investment Analyst at Trustees Executors prior to joining Clare Capital. He was responsible for investment research, idea generation and portfolio construction for large private clients and internal investment mandates.

Prior to that, Eliot worked in PwC’s Audit and Assurance team with a focus on financial services.

Eliot holds a Master of Applied Finance & Economics and a Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting & Taxation and Finance) from Canterbury University. Eliot is a CFA charterholder.

Yen-Ting Liu

Senior Analyst

Yen-Ting has experience in investment analysis, valuation, financial modelling, and deal execution.

Before joining Clare Capital, he was a Senior Investment Analyst at Kānoa, an investment unit within the Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment (MBIE), that is responsible for managing a $4.5 billion fund targeted at regional economic development in New Zealand.

Yen-Ting holds a Bachelor of Science with Honours (Actuarial Science) from Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh in the UK and is a CFA charterholder.

Laura Matthews

Senior Analyst

Laura has experience in financial modelling, data analysis and problem solving. She is co-chair of the Wellington Board of Young Women in Finance NZ.

Prior to Clare Capital, Laura worked in PwC’s Finance and Economics Consulting team and worked with many public sector agencies.

Laura holds a Bachelor of Commerce (Economics and Finance, minor in Econometrics) from Victoria University and is a CFA charterholder.

Paige Friend

Analyst

Paige worked as a Senior Accountant in the Business Advisory team at BDO prior to joining the Clare Capital team.

She has experience in accounting, financial reporting, forecasting, and financial decision making around budgeting and cashflow analysis. Paige managed day-to-day financial operations for SMEs as part of a virtual CFO service.

Paige holds a Bachelor of Commerce (Finance and Information Science) from Otago University, where she was also employed as a finance tutor.

Georgia Frawley

Graduate Analyst

Georgia is a recent graduate with experience in financial modelling, data analysis, and academic research.

She holds a Bachelor of Advanced Finance and Economics (Class I Honours) from Queensland University in Australia. During her studies, Georgia received several Dean’s Commendations for Academic Excellence and was the Treasurer of the University’s Economics Society.

Prior to Clare Capital, Georgia worked at Suncorp Bank and a corporate consultancy firm specialising in shareholder engagement for public M&A in Sydney.

Careers

We advise companies at the forefront of the New Zealand economy. We’re always on the lookout for good people. Analytical thinkers who build strong relationships and are team players. People who are passionate about corporate finance.

At Clare Capital, we believe we are better if we bring different perspectives to our approach. We’re committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse culture.

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