Simon Bowden

About Simon

Simon Bowden 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.

A philanthropy specialist with thirty years of experience, Simon has served as a director, chair, trustee, and adviser in the for-purpose sector. He was Executive Director of Te Tumu Toi – the Arts Foundation of New Zealand – for over ten years and later worked as a Principal Adviser at Manatū Taonga – the Ministry for Culture and Heritage – for three years.

As part of Forsyth Barr’s commitment to supporting communities, Simon helps charitable clients work through both opportunities and challenges. He also advises clients who want to be active as philanthropists in their lifetimes and through legacies. His support helps them make informed decisions about how to structure their giving.

Working closely with charities to help them reach their goals, Simon supports trustees and executives with practical, strategic advice. This includes facilitation, training, and one-on-one coaching. He helps clients shape their purpose, develop short- and long-term strategies, create fundraising plans, diversify income, improve grant making and other forms of distribution, and develop marketing and plan events. He specialises in stakeholder engagement and building sustainable cultures for organisational success.

Simon also has helpful experience working within Māori frameworks and can help non-Māori organisations build respectful relationships with mana whenua.

His governance experience includes setting up and leading several trusts in the arts and community sectors.