Advice from someone who has sat where you are sitting.
Owners Voice exists to give New Zealand business founders and boards an independent, straight-talking guide through one of the most consequential decisions they will make.
More than a structure. A decision that shapes your business for years to come.
Employee ownership is not something you set up and forget. It changes how your business is governed, how your people behave, and how decisions get made at every level. Getting it right from the start matters enormously.
Colm founded Owners Voice after seeing the same gap play out repeatedly. Law firms can draft the documents. Accountants can run the numbers. But what most business owners actually need is someone to help them think through the strategy first, well before any legal or financial work begins.
That is the gap Owners Voice was built to fill.
With 25 years of experience operating at executive and board level across a range of established businesses, Colm brings a perspective that most advisors cannot. He has been in the room when these decisions were made. He understands the pressures founders face, the things they are quietly worried about, and what it actually takes to make an ownership transition work in practice, not just on paper.
Owners Voice works with a small number of clients each year. Technical consultancies, Construction businesses and professional service firms make up most of that group. The focus is deliberate. Colm works directly with each client rather than delegating, which means the thinking you get is his, not a junior advisor’s interpretation of it.
How we work
Completely independent
We do not earn commissions, referral fees, or ongoing income from legal or financial products. Our only interest is helping you make the right decision for your business.
Plain language, always
If your leadership team cannot explain the ownership model in plain terms, it will not work. We strip out the jargon from the start and keep everything clear throughout.
Designed for your business
There is no standard template here. Every business has its own culture, history, and goals. We design models that fit yours, not the other way around
The principles that guide our practice
Undivided Independence
We do not benefit from ongoing legal fees or product sales. Our sole interest is ensuring the model works for your company.
Plain Language
We strip away the financial and legal jargon. If your leadership team and employees cannot explain the model on a single page, it will not succeed.
Context-Driven Design
Every business has a distinct culture and ownership context. We design frameworks tailored directly to your technical team's motivations.
Start a confidential conversation
Everything discussed in an initial conversation is held in strict confidence. Whether you are thinking about ownership transition five years from now or dealing with something more immediate, you are welcome to reach out.
There is no obligation and no sales pitch. Just an honest conversation about where you are and what your options might be.
Most people leave that first conversation feeling a lot clearer about what to do next.