Senior Leadership Team

 

Ralph Stewart

Founder & Managing Director

In 2014, Ralph established Retirement Income Group, the umbrella organisation for Lifetime Asset Management. With three decades of experience in New Zealand’s financial services sector, Ralph’s journey includes senior leadership roles at Tower Insurance and chairmanship of Spicers Wealth Management Limited.

Ralph was CEO of AXA Insurance and Asset Management in New Zealand for 10 years. When AXA was sold to AMP Ralph assumed the role of CEO at Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC). Ralph is currently a Director of the Police Welfare Fund and the Police Health Care Plan Limited.

 

Chelsea Devlin

Chief Marketing Officer (CMO)

Chelsea started with Lifetime in 2019, and oversees marketing, sales, and product development.

With 15 years’ experience in the fields of communications, marketing and sales, Chelsea has accumulated valuable experience in diverse industries, including financial services, government, education, property, heating and cooling, and hospitality.

 

Ellen Cheyne

Chief Financial Officer (CFO)

Ellen joined Lifetime in 2018 and oversees finance, risk and compliance. She has 20 years’ experience in the financial services industry in the UK and New Zealand, including as head of finance and later head of strategy and planning for The Co-operative Bank.

Ellen is a Trustee of New Zealand Riding for the Disabled Perpetual Members Trust and is on the board of New Zealand Riding for the Disabled and So They Can New Zealand.

 

Geoff Cheeseright

Chief Operating Officer

 

Geoff joined the Lifetime team in March 2025 and is responsible for Lifetime operations.  Geoff has 30+ years’ experience in the New Zealand financial services industry, 25 years being in leadership positions focused on the protection of New Zealand’s investment, savings and retirement assets. Geoff was the General Manager of Trustees Executors Fund Administration business before being sold to the Apex group in 2024.

 

Peter Verhaart

Chief Investment Officer (CIO)

Peter has over 30 years’ experience in New Zealand investment markets. He is currently the Chief Investment Officer (contractor) and an Investment Committee member. Peter is contracted from EriksensGlobal Limited where he is Head of Investment Consulting. He has held senior management positions with fund managers and investment consulting firms including Head of Wholesale and Private Investment at Kiwi Wealth, General Manager of AXA Global Investors and Head of Investment Consulting NZ at Mercer. Peter is a long-standing Trustee of Nikau Foundation and is a member of its Audit, Risk and Investment Committee. He lives on the Kāpiti Coast and shares a passion for native flora and fauna with his son.

 

Leszek Lendnal

Head of Product

Leszek joined Lifetime in 2022 and oversees product. He has over 25 years of experience in the funds management industry in New Zealand, working in product management, compliance, and marketing roles for a number of New Zealand's fund managers. Leszek also worked for four years in corporate trustee services, supervising managed investment schemes, debt offers and retirement villages.