Meet the Team

Direct FX has built a reputation as one of the leading providers of currency transfers and payments in Australasia. We are also the only Spot Foreign Exchange voice broker used by banks in Australasia. Our market leading position would not be possible without the huge experience of our client advisers. There would be few non bank currency adviser teams able to provide clients with a comparable level of insight and service.
 
Please meet the members of our dealing team:


Andrew Isbister – Managing Director 
Interbank and Retail Markets     aisbister@directfx.co.nz      +64 4 381 3284
Andrew has been transacting on behalf of clients in foreign exchange markets since 1988. Prior to joining Direct FX in 2002, Andrew held senior management positions at leading global financial market brokerage firms based in New Zealand. Andrew’s primary focus is to oversee Direct FX’s continued growth in foreign exchange markets at both the interbank and retail levels. Andrew has in the past represented Direct FX's interests on the New Zealand Financial Markets Association (NZFMA) Intermediary Committee.

Outside work Andrew is most likely to be found mountain biking, or running in the Wellington hills with his two sons.
 
Market Experience: Foreign exchange, 22 years, New Zealand
Qualifications:  Andrew has an MBA from Massey University (Dist), a Diploma in Financial Services (FX specialisation) issued by the Australian Financial Markets Association (AFMA), and is Australian Regulatory Guide 146 Compliant.


Steve Chester - Manager
Interbank Markets       schester@directfx.com.au      +61 2 9240 5241
Steve joined Direct FX in 2006 as Manager of its Wholesale Interbank Foreign Exchange desk in Sydney. Steve  has over 25 years experience working for large international foreign exchange brokerage companies in Wellington, Sydney, Johannesburg, Hong Kong and Tokyo. During his career Steve has been part of some of the most successful interbank desks globally. Along with his enormous level of financial market experience, Steve’s communication and management skills are a huge asset to both clients and fellow staff.

When not at work Steve enjoys the relaxed life style of Manly Beach and following his beloved
Middlesbrough FC.
 
Market Experience: Foreign exchange, 25 years, Japan, Hong Kong, South Africa, Australia, New Zealand
Qualifications:  Steve has AFMA  Accreditation and is a past member of the New Zealand Financial Markets Association.


Sam Coxhead - Manager
Retail Markets      scoxhead@directfx.co.nz      +64 7 5722 933
Sam has been an active New Zealand financial market participant for over a decade. Prior to joining Direct FX Sam held senior broking roles at Harlow Butler NZ Ltd, Fixed Interest Securities Ltd, and OM Financial Ltd in a Wholesale Interbank capacity. Whilst focusing predominantly on foreign exchange markets, Sam has also had significant interest rate market exposure. His advisory responsibilities have spanned foreign exchange, the New Zealand physical interest rate market, New Zealand off balance sheet derivatives market, and the international exchange traded interest rate futures markets. Sam is passionate about the industry and gains great pleasure from his role of helping clients find the most efficient solutions for their foreign exchange requirements. Sam is based in the Bay of Plenty where he is now focused on driving growth in our retail foreign exchange service.

Sam and his wife Katie have a large young family. Sam enjoys both salt and fresh water fishing, duck shooting and skiing with his family at every opportunity.
 
Market Experience: Foreign exchange, interest rates, derivatives, futures, 10 years, New Zealand
Qualifications:  Sam has a BA in Economics with Finance from Massey University, is an accredited Australian and New Zealand Futures and Options dealer and is a past member of the NZFMA.


Ben Spencer - Director  
Interbank and Retail Markets      bspencer@directfx.co.nz      +64 4 381 3029
Ben’s financial market career began at Tullet and Riley Greenshields, Canada, in 1982.  Ben’s move to the New Zealand financial markets coincided with the floating of the New Zealand dollar in 1984. Whilst the greater part of Ben's broking career has been spent facilitating foreign exchange transactions in the interbank market, Ben has also transacted and held senior management positions in the interest rate market. The level of energy and passion for the industry Ben brings to the desk on a daily basis is an asset to both clients and colleagues alike.

Market Experience: Foreign exchange, interest rate markets, 28 years, New Zealand, Canada, America
Qualifications:  Ben has a Diploma in Financial Services (FX specialisation), issued by the AFMA, is Australian Regulatory Guide 146 Compliant, and is a past member of the NZFMA.


Simon Norrie - Director
Interbank and Retail Markets      snorrie@directfx.co.nz      +64 4 381 3029
Employed originally in 1986 by NAB in their foreign exchange reconciliation department, Simon quickly realised the facilitation of client trading held greater appeal to him. The following 15 years saw Simon work for leading foreign exchange brokerage teams on both sides of the Tasman. This time was spent predominantly transacting in the New Zealand dollar and Dollar Mark. Simon returned permanently to New Zealand in the mid 90’s, and with Ben established NZ Direct FX Ltd in 1996. They later merged NZ Direct FX Ltd with Ord Minnett in 2000.
 
Simon is a family man with two sons and a baby daughter. He loves any opportunity for a game of golf or the chance to finally land a trophy trout fly fishing.
 
Market Experience: Foreign exchange, 22 years, New Zealand, Australia
Qualifications:  Simon has a Diploma in Financial Services (FX specialisation), issued by the AFMA, is Australian Regulatory Guide 146 Compliant, and is a past member of the NZFMA.


David Curd
Interbank and Retail Markets      dcurd@directfx.co.nz      +64 4 381 3029
David has 15 years experience transacting in all major currencies pairs, in all time zones. He has worked for leading financial market brokerage firms in New York, Sydney and Wellington. David’s natural ability to form long term client relationships of exceptional strength, stems from a genuine desire to service his client base to the highest standard possible. David’s considerable market experience combined with his access to and constant consideration of the most up to date leading market commentaries, allows him to formulate both short and long term currency views that are of benefit to both interbank and retail clients.  

Away from work David can generally be found on the end of a shovel, or the middle of a surf board.
 
Market Experience: Foreign exchange, 15 years, New Zealand, Australia, America.
Qualifications:  David has AFMA  Accreditation and is a past member of the NZFMA.


Grahame Kelsey
Interbank and Retail Markets      gkelsey@directfx.co.nz      +64 4 381 3056
Grahame’s introduction to the financial markets was during the turbulent years that followed the floating of the New Zealand dollar. Grahame has facilitated currency transactions in the interbank market, in all major currency pairs, in all time zones. A well earned year off to manage the family dairy farm was taken in 1996. Whilst Grahame continues to facilitate currency transactions for both retail and interbank clients, his primarily focus is the development of Direct FX’s proprietary risk management and settlement systems. Grahame has been a member of the Direct FX team since 2002.

Outside work Grahame enjoys programming, walking his dog and following his son's hockey career.
 
Market Experience: Foreign exchange, 24 years, New Zealand.
Qualifications: Grahame has AFMA Accreditation and is a past member of the NZFMA.


David Fingret
Interbank Markets      fingers@directfx.com.au      +61 2 9240 5241
David’s financial market career started with Tullet’s Sydney in 1987. A move to Harlow Bulter Sydney in 1990 was followed by a six year stint with Tokyo broker MW Marshalls. David is now the markets longest serving Australian dollar interbank broker. His considerable experience and relaxed broking style are of benefit to clients and colleagues alike.
 
When not at work David likes nothing more than a round of golf, a bottle of wine, and a buttered mushroom pizza.
 
Market Experience:  Foreign exchange, 23 years, Australia, Japan
Qualifications:  David has AFMA  Accreditation and is a past member of the New Zealand Financial Markets Association.


Ian Strong
Interbank and Retail Markets      istrong@directfx.com.au      +61 2 9240 5241
Ian joined the Direct FX team in 2007 and has 25 years experience facilitating foreign exchange transactions in the interbank and retail financial markets. A stint away from the broking side of the market was divided between extensive overseas travel, work in London and Kuwait, five years as a Custodian trader for NAB and two years in Margin Lending with Bankers Trust. Ian’s length of time in the market and varied roles have equipped him with an extensive understanding of the fundamentals driving foreign exchange, interest rate, and equity markets globally.
 
Ian has three children and another on the way. When not at work he divides his time between family, tending to his tropical fish, and tinkering with his old Triumph Stag, on the sunny Northern Beaches of Sydney
 
Market experience: Foreign exchange, interest rate and equity markets, 25 years, Australia, United Kingdom, America.
Qualifications:  Ian studied in London gaining a Higher National Diploma in Business Studies. He is Australian Regulatory Guide 146 Compliant, is a past member of the NZFMA, and is currently studying for a Degree in Financial Planning


Mark Clare – Board Chairman (External) 
Mark’s background is in investment banking, strategy and technology. Mark has over 15 years commercial and corporate finance experience. Mark’ extensive career  has taken him to Canada and  United Kingdom, in accounting, marketing, consulting and corporate finance roles. Locally Mark has worked for investment bank Cameron & Company (now Cameron Partners) and in corporate strategy for a large financial services institution. Mark also worked for the boutique investment bank Morel & Co (a sister firm of venture capital fund No 8 Ventures). In 2006 Mark established boutique investment bank Clare Capital.  Since 2008 Mark has been the founder and CEO  Valuecruncher. In October 2009 Harvard strategy writer Umair Haque described Valuecruncher (with two other named companies) as “the leading edge of a revolution — a revolution in what finance has been for the last several centuries, and what it must become in the 21st”. Mark is a founding Partner of Woodward Partners.

Marks business acumen and vision provide Direct FX with strong external governance and strategic guidance. Mark has a MBA from Victoria University (Dist). Mark’s undergraduate degree is a Bachelor of Business Studies (Accountancy) from Massey University.


Denis Pavlovich
Interbank and Retail Markets      dpavlovich@directfx.com.au      +61 2 9240 5241
Denis joined Direct FX in 2008, having spent six years in various treasury roles with BankWest Perth, W.A. Prior to 2002 Denis spent time working on the major interbank foreign exchange desks in Sydney, Wellington and Hong Kong. Denis initially entered the market as an interbank interest rate swaps broker in 1993. With a strong background in both banking and interbank broking, Denis is well placed to advice both retail and interbank clients in foreign exchange products. 
 
Outside work Denis is a devoted family man who loves a beer, a pizza, and a punt on the horses.
 
Market Experience: Foreign exchange and interest rate markets, 13 years, Australia, Hong Kong, New Zealand.
Qualifications:Denis is Australian Regulatory Guide 146 Compliant and a past member of the NZFMA.


Magda Ruzickova
Interbank Markets      mruzickova@directfx.com.au      +61 2 9240 5241
Born in the Czech Republic, Magda spent much of the past ten years traveling the world, before joining Direct FX in 2009. Magda’s primary role is to oversee the processing of Direct FX interbank trade confirmations, via our real time STP confirmation system.

When not at work Magda can generally be found relaxing or playing volley ball, at sunny Manly Beach.
 
Market Experience: Foreign exchange, Australia
Qualifications: Magda has a Master of International Business from Sydney University. Her undergraduate degree was obtained from the College of Saint Benedict and St John's in the America, (Major: Management, Minor: German). Magda is currently studying for AFMA Accreditation and Australian Regulatory Guide 146. She is also a past member of the NZFMA.


Deanne Fleming - Financial Controller
accounts@directfx.co.nz      +64 4 381 3056
Deanne joined Direct FX in 2006. With a strong background in administration management and business accounting, Deanne plays an integral part in the ongoing development of compliance, settlement and audit procedures. Being a born organiser by nature, she is regularly rounding up friends to partake in social activities, overseas holidays and enjoys keeping active in a variety of sporting pursuits.