James Usmar

About James

James joined Forsyth Barr in 2024, having been an Investment Adviser in the financial services industry since 1998.

James is registered as a financial adviser and accredited as an NZX Adviser. He has over 25 years of global investment management experience and works closely with our research team and strategists to create customised investment portfolios for private clients. James offers strategic investment advice across all key areas of wealth management, supported by the open architecture and extensive resources of our global network.

Originally from the UK, James studied Natural Sciences at the University of Plymouth before qualifying as an investment adviser and trading securities in London. Since relocating to Auckland in 2005 he has established himself as a respected adviser in the New Zealand market. James has held a range of governance roles, including with RASNZ, AUT’s MBA Advisory Panel, the Grey Lynn Park Festival, and the New Zealand Regenerative Ocean Farming Steering Group. He and his team also manage the New Zealand Arts Foundation endowment, along with several other not-for-profits.