Mr Richard Coon, of Picton, ONZM for services to business and philanthropy
Richard Coon helped found the financial services companies Sovereign Assurance, Seniors Money and Partners Life. He was a business mentor from 1998 to 2020. He helped pioneer home equity release finance in New Zealand, allowing retirees to turn a portion of the value of their home into cash, and implemented an industry code of conduct for these products. He founded and chairs Angel Investors Marlborough (AIM), which has invested $26 million into 67 companies to date. He has helped Angel Association New Zealand to develop advice and resources and was instrumental in establishing the AIM Founders Network. Mr Coon established the Laurie Coon Foundation, named after his father, which is a charitable trust that helps young New Zealanders achieve their aspirations with scholarships.