Simon Bowden

About Simon

Simon joined Forsyth Barr in February 2024 as Head of Philanthropic Services. He is responsible for providing advisory services to Forsyth Barr’s charitable and philanthropic clients.   

Furthering Forsyth Barr’s commitment to community, Simon assists charity clients with best practice across a range of challenges and opportunities. He also provides strategic advice to clients wanting to engage in philanthropy.  

A philanthropy specialist with thirty years of experience as a director, chair, trustee and adviser in the for-purpose sector, Simon was Executive Director of Te Tumu Toi - the Arts Foundation of New Zealand for over ten years. Simon has been a philanthropy consultant specialising in strategy, fundraising, tax effective giving and digital solutions and served for three years as a Principal Adviser at Manatū Taonga - the Ministry for Culture and Heritage.   

Simon is chair of the Strathmore Park Community Centres Trust and a trustee of the Katherine Mansfield Menton Fellowship Advisory Committee.