Personal Planning

Catherine has been a practising lawyer for nearly 20 years and has a depth of experience in personal planning. She has great knowledge of the rural sector having worked as legal counsel for Westland Dairy Company in Hokitika before joining the team at Govett Quilliam and while in private practice has acted for clients on many succession plans.

Her current practice area focuses on asset protection and trust matters and she frequently advises on Occupation Right Agreements. Catherine has developed expertise in drafting Enduring Powers of Attorney and Wills over the years. She also has extensive experience in conveyancing and sound knowledge of commercial matters having acted for many businesses.

Catherine acts for non-profit organisations and charitable trusts in the Taranaki region.

Outside of Govett Quilliam

Catherine is the mother of 4 young children which keeps her very busy! She manages and coaches a variety of sports teams which her children are involved with and is also an active member of the St Pius X Home & School committee.

Cooking and baking is not one of Catherine’s strengths but she is great at appreciating good food and wine. When she has some time to herself she loves a good book.

Catherine also enjoys playing tennis and netball and when she has the time (and energy) loves to participate in adventure racing.

• Oil and Gas: Bea has had a significant amount of experience providing advice and legal support to both national and international Energy corporate. This has involved advice surrounding oil and gas permit management and compliance, risk management, contract review and drafting, and a period on secondment as in-house counsel for an on-shore drilling campaign.
• Overseas Investment: Bea has developed an area of legal expertise in relation to the New Zealand overseas investment regime. Bea has advised both private and corporate clients on overseas investment in New Zealand property and business assets. This has included advice regarding whether the consent requirement is triggered, as well as the requirements and processes for overseas investment applications. Bea has been involved in the preparation of, and advice surrounding, a successful overseas investment application for a large corporate client, in relation to a business asset acquisition.
• Commercial and residential property: Commercial and residential property work formed the foundations of Bea’s legal practice. She has been involved in matters relating to commercial leases and property acquisitions, refinancing arrangements (including corporate restructuring) and residential sales and purchases.

Outside of Govett Quilliam

Though she grew up in Wellington, New Plymouth has been home for Bea since 2017. Her love for fashion means she’s regularly found scouring op-shops all around the Taranaki region on the hunt for vintage gems. Otherwise Bea’s can be found with friends enjoying New Plymouth’s local coffee spots and beach scenes, or planning her next overseas escapade.

Annie has gained work experience in firms that specialise in property and commercial law in addition to working in a barristers' chambers throughout her time completing her degree at the University of Auckland.

Annie has also been able to gain invaluable life experience from her time working in the UK and Canada in a range of industries. She brings a unique perspective to the corporate, commercial and trusts sphere.

Outside of Govett Quilliam

Annie is originally from Wales. She moved to the Bay of Islands with her family as a toddler and loves catching up with family and friends in New Zealand and abroad.

Annie also loves the coast and in her time outside of work she particularly enjoys exploring the Taranaki coastline and the odd game night, over some good food and wine with friends.

Fleur qualified as a Registered Legal Executive in 2012 after completing the NZLS Legal Executive Diploma.

She has spent all her time at Govett Quilliam working closely with families who have lost their loved ones and assisting them with the administration of the estates.  Fleur has great knowledge of the estate administration process and what is required to tidy up a persons affairs after their passing.

Fleur also has extensive knowledge of Enduring Powers of Attorney and is experienced in preparing Wills for clients to ensure their wishes are carried out.  

She has good understanding of what is required when clients are considering entering Retirement Villages and is happy to assist with the explanations involved with signing Occupation Licences.

Fleur also has experience in conveyancing and looks after residential sale and purchases for her clients.

Outside of Govett Quilliam

Fleur is the President of the New Plymouth Repertory Society and the Taranaki Fancy Dancing Association and is Secretary of the LGS Dance Trust.

Fleur enjoys theatre, both on stage and as a director. She also enjoys travel and spending time with her family.

Sandy works as a legal executive in the Inglewood office and undertakes a large portion of the conveyancing generated through that office.  She is also responsible for and extremely competent in all aspects of sub-divisional work including drafting of easements and land covenants and is experienced with all matters relating to e-dealing and working with Land Information New Zealand to achieve outcomes beneficial to her clients.

She also has a keen interest in elder law and is responsible for estate administration at the Inglewood office.  

Outside of Govett Quilliam

Sandy enjoys her grandchildren, the outdoors, travel and dancing (all genres but mainly ceroc and ballroom).  

Linda's current role builds on her previous work as Client Trust Manager. As a Registered Legal Executive, Linda provides support for our Personal Planning Team which involves Trust work, with a focus on wind ups, variations, retirement and appointment of trustees.

Outside of Govett Quilliam

Keeping fit is something that Linda enjoys, this includes going for walks and the gym. Living on a lifestyle property also keeps her very busy and allows her to enjoy time in the garden with her animals. She loves baking and cooking.

Trina has an extensive background in the Financial Services industry, having held positions in Customer Service, Training, Management and Compliance.  Her career has seen her spend periods of time in Auckland, Wellington and Hawkes Bay, before returning to Taranaki.  More recently, she held the position of Senior Trustee with a national Trustee Company which involved full administration of Estates and Trust Management, Wills, Enduring Power of Attorneys, Personal Assist, as well as assisting with other matters.

Trina holds a Certificate and Diploma in Insurance (ANZIIF) as well as Qualified Insurance Broker status through IBANZ. She is currently studying towards her legal executive diploma.

Trina joins Linda Welch and is responsible for reviewing client Trusts annually.  Govett Quilliam takes its obligations as Independent Trustee for its Trusts very seriously.  Reviewing the Trusts annually ensures that our clients receive the best level of advice and service. 

Outside of Govett Quilliam

Trina enjoys spending time outdoors including camping in Summer, on the beach with her children and dog or walking on New Plymouth's fabulous walkway.  She also coaches and/or manages her children’s sports teams' activities, as well as attending regular exercise classes herself. 

She also likes to spend time with family and friends and is a keen novice photographer and a current member of Welbourn School Board of Trustees.

Sarah has nearly 30 years' experience as a legal secretary in the UK and New Zealand, which she has now called home for more than 20 years. In 2005 she qualified as a legal executive and has worked mainly in the areas of criminal and civil litigation as well as family law. She also spent three years at another local law firm as data manager.

Outside of Govett Quilliam

In her time away from GQ Sarah enjoys spending time with her three adult children or at the beach, with or without her small scruffy dog. She is involved, in a voluntary capacity, with surf lifesaving in Taranaki, Hospice Taranaki and the Breast Cancer Foundation. Weekends will often find her up a ladder, paint brush in hand, as she slowly redecorates her house! She enjoys the local arts scene and is also something of a book worm, belonging to a local book group. She also enjoys swimming and riding her bike along the foreshore and sometimes further afield.

Lynell is responsible for reviewing client trusts annually, Govett Quilliam takes its obligations as an Independent Trustees seriously. Reviewing the Trusts annually ensures that our clients receive the best level of advice and service.

Outside of Govett Quilliam

Lynell loves spending time with family & enjoys the outdoors. When Lynell's not at GQ, you can find her out walking the puppy, catching up with friends at the beach, cycling and walking the walkway and enjoying the fabulous local cafes, along with visiting the many beautiful places throughout New Zealand.