ForthCo
Fund Manager based in Auckland, New Zealand
Key Facts
- Provider type
- Fund Manager
- Headquarters
- Auckland, New Zealand
- Established
- 2020 (5 yrs)
- AIP status
- Approved
- Open offers
- 1 open / 1 total
- Funds listed
- 1
- Website
- www.forthco.nz
About ForthCo
ForthCo is a New Zealand mid-market private equity firm that partners with business owners and management teams to build more valuable companies. Founded in 2020 and based in Auckland, ForthCo brings capital, capability, and long-term commitment to productive New Zealand businesses. The firm focuses on active, hands-on investment — working alongside founders to accelerate growth, improve operations, and unlock value. ForthCo targets established businesses with strong fundamentals and clear growth potential, typically investing through limited partnership structures. The team combines deep operational experience across manufacturing, services, technology, and primary industries with institutional-grade investment discipline. ForthCo is a member of the New Zealand Private Capital Association.
Location
Auckland, New Zealand
Established
2020
5 years track record
AIP Approved
Eligible for Active Investor Plus visa
Investment Opportunities(1)
Key People (6)
Henry Withers
Executive Chairman
Leadership
Executive Chairman of ForthCo. Brings extensive governance and strategic advisory experience to the firm's portfolio companies and investment decisions.
20 years of experience
Rebecca Robinson
COO / Head of Portfolio Operations
Operations
COO and Head of Portfolio Operations at ForthCo
Thomas Redford
Investment Director
Investment
Investment Director at ForthCo
Jonty Sabiston
Investment Analyst
Investment
Investment Analyst at ForthCo
Stefanie White
Finance Director
Finance
Finance Director at ForthCo
Phil Veal
Managing Director
Leadership
Managing Director of ForthCo and experienced private equity leader with over 25 years across a range of industry sectors. Previously Chief Executive of Rangatira and ran New York-based M&A consulting company PIPC. A qualified civil engineer (University of Canterbury), Phil started his career as a construction manager on infrastructure projects in Europe and Asia. Currently serves on the boards of Natural Habitats and the New Zealand Air Ambulance Service, and sits on the IoD Chapter Zero NZ steering committee.
25 years of experience
Qualifications:
- BE(Hons) Civil Engineering, University of Canterbury
- IoD Member
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Quick Info
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I verify a provider is legitimate and trustworthy?
Conduct thorough due diligence before investing with any provider: (1) Check FMA Register - Verify the provider is licensed or registered with the Financial Markets Authority (www.fma.govt.nz/compliance/entities), (2) Review track record - Research past fund performance, years in operation, total funds under management, (3) Check key personnel - Research investment team backgrounds, LinkedIn profiles, previous roles and experience, (4) Request references - Ask to speak with existing investors or portfolio companies, (5) Review documentation - Read Information Memoranda, trust deeds, audited financial statements thoroughly, (6) Understand fee structures - Ensure fees are clear, reasonable, and aligned with industry norms, (7) Check for red flags - Promises of guaranteed returns, pressure to invest quickly, unlicensed operators, lack of transparency. All providers on Wholesale Investor NZ are pre-screened for legitimacy, but always conduct your own due diligence.
What questions should I ask a fund manager before investing?
Ask fund managers these critical questions: Investment Strategy - What is your investment thesis? How do you source deals? What's your competitive advantage? Track Record - What returns have you achieved historically (gross and net)? What percentage of investments succeeded vs failed? Can I speak with investors in prior funds? Team - Who makes investment decisions? What's their background? Have there been recent departures? How is the team compensated? Risk Management - What was your worst investment and what did you learn? How do you handle conflicts of interest? What's your downside protection? Fees - Explain management fees, performance fees, and all other costs? What's the hurdle rate? Process - What's the investment committee process? How often do you report? What voting rights do I have? Exit - What's the expected timeline to liquidity? Have you returned capital to investors before? Get answers in writing and verify claims independently.
What is the difference between a fund manager and a platform?
Fund Managers directly manage pooled investment capital, making investment decisions, conducting due diligence, managing portfolio companies/assets, charging management and performance fees, and carrying fiduciary duty to investors. Examples include private equity firms, credit fund managers, property developers. Platforms provide infrastructure for accessing multiple investment opportunities, do not make direct investment decisions (investors choose from offerings), may conduct initial due diligence on providers, charge platform fees or take commissions from providers, and offer comparison and research tools. Examples include investment platforms, crowdfunding sites, syndication platforms. Some hybrid models exist - platforms with house funds. When investing via platforms, you still need to evaluate the underlying fund manager's capabilities, track record, and terms as if investing directly.