In this episode of Purposely, Mark Longbottom sits down with Simon Bowden, Head of Philanthropic Services at Forsyth Barr.

Simon has spent more than 30 years across the for-purpose sector, including nearly two decades leading the Arts Foundation of New Zealand. Today, he works with charities and clients to help them think more clearly about giving, funding, and long-term impact.

A big part of the conversation is about how philanthropy is changing. More clients are asking better questions about where their money goes, what it actually does, and how to structure giving over time. That’s driving firms like Forsyth Barr to take this more seriously and build it into their advice.

Simon talks through what his role actually involves. On one side, working with charities on things like income diversification, governance, and funding strategy. On the other, helping individuals and families navigate giving, from first donations through to legacy planning.

There’s also a broader discussion about the New Zealand context. We’re a generous country in some ways, but formal giving and legacy donations are still relatively low. Simon makes the point that how we talk about giving matters. If it feels transactional or repetitive, people switch off. If it feels relevant and connected to what they care about, they lean in.

The episode also covers Simon’s path into this work. From music and running a national jazz festival, through to leading the Arts Foundation and launching Boosted, his career has consistently sat between creativity, funding, and building things from scratch.

They also get into the relationship between commercial advice and purpose. Simon’s view is straightforward. Done properly, it works for everyone. Clients get better outcomes, and more money flows to where it can make a difference.

The conversation wraps with a full-circle moment at a Philanthropy New Zealand conference, involving a banjo, a kazoo, and a reminder that bringing people together still matters.

This episode is brought to you by Benevity and Trust Investments.