Evergreen Partners
We are a leading investor in New Zealand private companies.
We have over 75 years experience investing in private companies and look to partner alongside proven management teams.
Over A Half Century Of Experience
Evergreen Partners have over 75 years of combined private company experience and have together completed more than 40 highly successful investments in New Zealand and Australian private companies.
Capital Available
In 2017 Evergreen Partners raised an initial fund of $66 million. We provide flexible, supportive, patient capital typically in expansion and succession situations.
Learn more about our investment criteria.Current & Past Investments
The six investments completed are a perfect fit with our stated strategy of providing expansion capital, as well as strategic and analytical input, to NZ businesses with great growth potential.
Learn more about our investments.
Year of investment
2017
Business description
One of New Zealand’s fastest growing providers of scaffolding and related services, addressing commercial, infrastructure and residential markets from ten locations throughout the country
Investment background
Evergreen has partnered with the NZSG senior management team and Warren Family interests, with a plan to continue to expand NZSG’s national network both organically and by acquisition
Year of investment
2018
Business description
New Zealand’s leading provider of specialist recycling solutions for road, rail and pavement stabilisation, slip and slope reinforcement, soil mechanics, geotechnical design and contamination remediation. Also a fast growing footprint in the larger Australian market
Investment background
Evergreen has partnered with the Hiway senior management team and the Riverside Company to continue Hiway’s expansion geographically and into adjacent market segments
Year of investment
2019
Business description
New Zealand’s leading provider of self-drive and coach tours for New Zealand and inbound tourists. Via its eight consumer brands and wholesale arm sidekick the business facilitated over 15,000 travellers during 2018
Investment background
Evergreen has partnered with the New Zealand Fine Touring Group owners Dave & Kerry Kettle and Chris Sutton & Meg Evans, supporting a partial realization of the owners investment and to assist the business as it grows into new markets and geographies.
Year of investment
2019
Business description
Acrow Australia (ASX: ACF) is a leading hirer of formwork and scaffolding systems to large construction and civil infrastructure providers across Australia.
Investment background
Evergreen secured its shareholding in Acrow via a Company placement and on-market share purchases, and is highly supportive of Acrow managements emphasis on growth opportunities in the East Coast civil infrastructure market, particularly in New South Wales and Victoria.
Year of investment
2021
Business description
Qestral Corporation is a developer and operator of new generation retirement villages. The company’s design-led lifestyle villages are at the premium end of the market offering stand-alone houses and serviced apartments with the full spectrum of integrated care.
Investment background
Evergreen has partnered with the Qestral management team and other financial investors to accelerate Qestral’s village expansion programme.
Year of investment
2021
Business description
Fiordland Lobster is a vertically integrated lobster fishing and marketing company. With substantial quota ownership in NZ and South Australia, the company is the single largest supplier of southern rock lobster to international markets.
Investment background
Evergreen has invested alongside industry and financial investors to support the business as it grows its NZ, Australian and international operations.
The Four Partners
Evergreen is owned by Simon, Amy, Tony, and Mark — a tight knit team who have enjoyed considerable success together.
Find out about the partners.About The Partners
Evergreen Partners is owned by Simon, Amy, Tony, and Mark. Together we’ve enjoyed considerable success and have been involved in:
The completion of more than 40 highly successful investments in NZ and Australian private companies
4 portfolio company IPO’s including leading the recent listings of both Scales Corporation and NZ King Salmon
Leading numerous transformative or add-on acquisitions and mergers for our partner companies
Generating value in our investment funds by developing strong and sustainable businesses alongside our operating partners
Simon Plowman
Director
Age , wife Angela, with two school age children. Keen surfer, fisherman and muso.
Founding Partner of Evergreen in 2017
10 years with Direct Capital, last 4 as partner
3 years managing a family office — building a small, focused portfolio of investments
2 year finance roles at NTL, London
Past and present director of numerous private companies (including Triton Hearing Clinics, Image Centre, Hi-Way Stabilisers, Orthotic Centre, Alpine Retirement Group, NZ Scaffolding Group, NZ Fine Touring Group)
Trustee for Rotoroa Island & Diocesan Heritage Foundation
Amy Ellis
Director
Mid-forties, married to Tim with two daughters. Lover of food, wine, music, friends, family and outdoor adventures (ideally in combination).
Evergreen Partner from 2023
17 years with PwC Corporate Finance (M&A), including 7 as partner
8 years of banking in various role New Zealand, UK and Ireland
Current director of NZ Fine Touring Group
Trustee for Talking Matters Charitable Trust
Tony Batterton
Director
Age , with two young but great NZ'ers. No spare time for anything but used to be keen on bands, film, staying fit and Arsenal FC.
Founding Partner of Evergreen in 2017
16 years with Direct Capital, last 7 as partner
5 years in London, mostly with HSBC Investment Bank in M&A
Accountant with PwC
Past and present director of numerous private companies (including Max Fashions, GoBus, New Zealand Pharmaceuticals, Rodd & Gunn, Triton Hearing Clinics, Scales Corporation, Transaction Services, PF Olsen, NZ Fine Touring Group)
Present director of NZX listed Briscoe Group and Scales Corporation
Mark Hutton
Director
Age , wife Angela with two adult children. Keen traveler, boat skipper and basketballer since long overdue rugby retirement.
Founding Partner of Evergreen in 2017
23 years with Direct Capital as founding partner
7 years working in Europe across a variety of financial / investment roles
Past and present director of numerous private companies (including Airwork, Nobilo Wines, Image Centre, Speedscan, Express Logistics, GoBus, Stratex, Hi-Way Stabilisers)
Marcus Gerbich
Founding Chairman
With incredible sadness we advise that Marcus passed away in February 2022 after a lengthy battle with Motor Neuron Disease.
Marcus was just 53 and survived by his wife Amelia and three sons Marcus Junior, Hugo and Diego
Marcus’ business acumen, incredible personality and unwavering support are sorely missed by us