Lion Consulting

Strategic finance partner to founders & CEOs — supporting growth and execution

About

Since 2021, Lion has worked alongside its clients to set long-term strategy, drive growth and protect shareholder value through new business models or products that can scale sustainably.

We translate vision into actionable strategies; partner on major decision-making and transactions from fundraising to acquisitions; and drive alignment with investors, clients and key stakeholders.

Led by Anna Charlton, Lion combines strategy, finance and risk capability with project leadership, communications expertise and hands-on execution.

We often act as a strategic partner, trusted counsel or fractional executive for founders and CEOs leading the delivery of transformative initiatives, innovative products or high-growth ambitions.

Based in Queenstown and operating nationwide, we work with a small number of clients, providing practical, outcome-focused support for one-off projects or enduring engagements.

We have experience across a range of industries including financial services, investment, fintech, property, energy, infrastructure, agriculture and resources.

Services

Strategic Growth & Transactions

Hands-on support for strategic projects, enterprise growth, M&A, deals, fund launches and business development from concept to completion.

Clients include: Jarden Wealth, Harbour Asset Management, riskthinking.ai

Funding & Risk Management

Structuring and securing capital with investors, banks & insurers; implementing effective hedging, strategic and financial risk management.

Clients include: Z Energy, Spark, Sanford, Metlifecare, Channel Infrastructure, Milford AM

Stakeholder & Investor Relations

Managing broad stakeholder interests, including investors, clients and directors, to ensure outcomes, effective governance and sustainable growth.

Clients include: Wellington International Airport, New Zealand Treasury, Westland Minerals

Our Clients

Z ENERGY
HARBOUR ASSET MANAGEMENT JARDEN WEALTH
WELLINGTON INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
MILFORD ASSET MANAGEMENT
RISKTHINKING.AI

SPARK
METLIFECARE
CHANNEL INFRASTRUCTURE
CHRISTCHURCH CITY HOLDINGS
SANFORD

TURNERS & GROWERS
EASTLAND GROUP
ZESPRI
WESTLAND MINERAL SANDS
TATUA DAIRY
AIRWAYS

Testimonials

  • “We have called on Lion multiple times to come into the senior management team to tackle complex strategic projects, such as M&A, to provide the momentum and transparency required as we have jumped into the unknown…

    What we love about Anna is her ability to bat for us, focus decision makers, get additional resource and provide consistent workflow and liaison across multiple parties.”

    Andrew Bascand

    Managing Director, Harbour Asset Management

  • “With strong systems thinking, engaging communication and effective action orientation, Lion provides Boards and executive teams with whole of system solutions, adding real value to your organisation.”

    Mike Bennetts
    Former CEO, Z Energy

  • “Lion’s comprehensive and pragmatic understanding of risk fundamentals adds value across a broad spectrum of projects including in my personal experience insurance, procurement, and climate response planning.

    I have always found Anna to be well prepared, thorough, open to other perspectives and easy to deal with.”

    Abby Foote
    Independent Director and ex-Chair, Z Energy

With two decades working in a range of strategic and financial roles, Anna has been providing bespoke consultancy services through Lion Consulting for the past four years. Anna’s experience includes corporate finance, financial markets, treasury, investor relations, strategy, risk and insurance with PwC, ANZ, WSP, Z Energy, Jarden and the New Zealand Treasury.

Anna also owns The Lion Partnership, New Zealand’s only independent insurance advisory; and serves as an Independent Investment Committee Member for Harbour Asset Management's Sustainable Impact Fund.

Anna Charlton, Principal

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