Current New Zealand Vice President Grant Ellis FCA has been elected President for 2025 by the CA ANZ Council.

At the President’s Dinner last night, CA ANZ Chair John Palermo FCA congratulated Grant, Naomi and Julia, and thanked outgoing 2024 President Tinashe Kamangira FCA for his 15 years’ contribution to CA ANZ.

“Tinashe has provided us a thoughtful and balanced perspective as President. In particular, he championed our campaign to attract more young people to the profession, not only in the boardroom, but by walking the talk in his engagement with schools and students.

“In an era of increased focus on conduct and reputation, he has consistently emphasised the importance of discipline and standards, while also highlighting the significant contributions our members make in our communities, businesses, and public institutions.”

"It is essential that our board and management have a strong President to amplify our members' voices. We extend our gratitude to Tinashe for not only fulfilling this role effectively but also for his significant contributions to our profession over the past 15 years, beginning with his involvement in the Young Chartered Accountants Panel in 2009."

“On behalf of the board, our council, and all of our members, I would like to thank Tinashe for his service and wish him and his family every success for the future.”

“Congratulations also to Grant Ellis FCA on being elected President for 2025, and our new Vice President in New Zealand, Julia Fink FCA, alongside returning Australian Vice President Naomi Walsh FCA.

“Grant brings valuable experience to the role, having had a distinguished corporate career as a Chief Financial Officer of a major organisation that has produced globally recognised brands familiar to many.”

“Even more importantly, Grant has a deep connection with CA ANZ and our membership, through his involvement with our corporate and CFO committees, as well as being a CA ANZ Councillor and Vice President.”

“On the 10 year anniversary of the amalgamation between the Australian and New Zealand institutes, it is fitting to have a President that served on the committee that oversaw the union, to deliver efficiencies and growth in education, advocacy and member services, and a transformed, modern digital experience.”

“Grant has a great rapport with our members, which has grown even stronger through his Vice Presidency, and we look forward to his leadership in 2025.”

About Grant Ellis FCA

Grant has spent most of his career in senior finance roles for major listed corporates, recently retiring as Chief Financial Officer of Restaurant Brands NZ Limited. His work has been recognised by the investment community, being awarded the Deloitte CFO of the Year award in 2019.

Grant has served in a number of governance roles within CA ANZ. He was elected a Fellow of CA ANZ in 2015 and in 2022 was the recipient of its Meritorious Service Award.

Coming from a military family, Grant joined the NZ Army (Territorial Force) in 1976 and has served as both Commanding Officer and Honorary Colonel of the Auckland Battalion. With this interest in the military, Grant has also been president and is a life member of the Auckland Officers’ Club. He also currently serves as chairman of the Ranfurly Veterans Trust Board.

Grant has always had an interest in the outdoors and is a graduate of the Outward-Bound programme, still enjoying, tramping, skiing and sailing as recreational pursuits.

About Julia Fink FCA

Julia is the Chief Financial Officer at the Climate Change Commission and a small business owner. She started her accounting career at Deloitte in Audit, moving into Deloitte Private.

Julia was heavily involved in the roll out of public benefit entity financial reporting standards for registered charities in her former role at DIA Charities Services. This role led to her current position as a Board member of the External Reporting Board.

Julia has been involved with CA ANZ since she was a provisional member, serving on the Women Accountants and Not for Profit Special Interest Group committees in Wellington, the Charities and Not for Profit Trans-Tasman Advisory Committee and the Wellington Local Committee and as a New Zealand Councillor. Julia was instrumental in setting up the CA ANZ Charity Reporting Awards and the Charity Law, Accounting and Regulation Conference.

About Naomi Walsh FCA

Naomi is Academic Lead Employability, College of Business and Economics at the University of Tasmania and non-executive director on several Tasmanian government and other organisation boards, including chair of audit, risk and governance committees.

Naomi’s work at the university focuses on business engagement, accounting employment skills and an intern program for international accounting masters students. Previous experience includes senior finance and commercial management, mid-tier accounting firms and consulting in Western Australia and the UK.

Naomi is 2025 CA ANZ Vice President Australia, an ex-officio member of the Tasmanian Regional Council and was previously a member of the CA ANZ Corporate Sector Advisory Committee. Naomi is a member of the CA ANZ Female Focus Champions and has been involved in the CA Program as a facilitator and exam marker.

In 2014, Naomi was awarded the Telstra Businesswomen’s Award, Tasmania Corporate sector for leadership in the construction industry.