Meet the speakers
Our speaker lineup is starting to take shape, introducing our MC and first couple of keynotes.
Jackie Clarke
MC
Jackie Clarke, MNZM, is renowned for her maverick entertainment style, whether it’s treading the boards, making music with her friends, as a comedic raconteur at glittering events or bringing energy and spice to conferences as an MC.
She’s been captivating audiences for over 40 years and was recognised with an MNZM for services to the entertainment industry in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List 2018 and a lifetime achievement award ‘The Benny’ from The Variety Artist Club in 2024.
Paddy Gower
Keynote speaker
Paddy Gower is a celebrated news journalist, former political editor, television presenter and radio broadcaster.
Paddy describes himself as a journalist that is focused on positive news and solutions.
He has recently released his biography This Is The F#$%ing News: My Story and completed a book tour around Aotearoa, he produces positive stories on Stuff, and his award-winning television current affairs series Paddy Gower Has Issues will return in 2025.
Kaila Colbin
Keynote speaker
Colbin is founder and CEO of Boma, an organisation building a world of intentional, intelligent, courageous leaders.
An award-winning leader renowned for impact, Kaila developed TEDxChristchurch into New Zealand’s flagship TEDx event, brought Singularity University New Zealand and Australia, and founded the non-prof Ministry of Awesome.
Her work to champion Aotearoa New Zealand on a global stage saw her given the 2022 Kea World Class New Zealand “Friend of New Zealand” award, and her purpose in life is to be an uplifting presence.
Rob Waddell
Keynote speaker
Rob's renowned as one of NZs most respected sportspeople, with a long history of competing internationally and nationally across multiple sports.
Throughout his career, Rob has had to overcome a wide range of adversity, including brutal training regimes, injury setbacks, and dealing with a significant heart condition that required eight hours of surgery.
Known for his integrity, work ethic, innovation, excellence, and leadership, Rob is a great example of achievement in sports, business, charity, and family life.
Mark Jenkins
The Gap
Mark has had over 20 years in Public Practice, with the majority of that time as the sole Director of Quay Accountants in the sunshine capital of NZ - Whakatane.
In 2014, he sold his firm so that he could focus on his true passion - helping accountants to accelerate small business success.
Mark joined forces with Viv Brownrigg, and together they founded The Gap, enabling accounting firms throughout NZ, Australia, and the UK to build recurring Business Advisory revenue.
Brad Turville
The Gap
Brad is the Head of Growth at The Gap, Director of Turville Advisory, and a trusted coach to accountants. A third-generation accountant, he founded, grew, and successfully sold BJT Financial Services, a tax and advisory firm.
Brad loves helping accountants unlock their potential. After building and selling a successful practice, he founded Modern Firm Practices to coach accountants on business vision, capacity, pricing, and delivering advisory. He’s also a prolific content creator, specialising in practical strategies for growth.