Christchurch · New Zealand
Tristan
Roberts
Retired at 40. Called back. From the fire station to the boardroom, I help founders and boards see their business as it actually is — then act on it.
My ventures
Three businesses I lead, one way of working.
Northbridge Governance
Managing PartnerIndependent directorships, governance reviews, transaction readiness and high-stakes risk matters. Every engagement is personally led.
Insprie
Co-Managing PartnerThe group's operating, investment and transformation business — privately funded, having deployed more than USD 45 million of its own capital into founder-led companies.
Incredibrands
ChairA consumer brand venture company bringing science, product innovation and brand building together to create brands that do better for people and the planet.
The path
Two decades, one standard of evidence.
- 2003
Network Intelligence & Hydro
Director roles in intelligence, and independent director and investor in an Australian consumer products company.
- 2006
Idenitive
Managing Director of a firm solving complex fraud and financial problems across APAC, Europe and North America. Acquired in 2019.
- 2013
Retired at 40
Two years at home with his baby daughter, volunteering with St John and the Fire Service.
- 2015
Ethique
Called back as Group COO. Scaled the brand into 26+ countries and supported its 2020 sale to US private equity.
- 2020
Insprie Labs
Co-founded with Brianne West to back founders with non-predatory capital. US$45m+ of its own capital deployed.
- 2023
Northbridge & Incredibrands
Managing Partner of Northbridge Governance and Chair of Incredibrands.
- Today
Boards
HealthPost, BioBalance, BMW Capital, Bumble and Bumble Capital, Circlegis and more.
Honours & service
Long before the boardroom, there was the fire ground.
New Zealander of the Year
Three-time medallist, including 2012 and 2017
SERVIMUS Star
Canterbury Earthquake Citation, 2011
United Nations IYF Medal
International Year of Volunteers
Kiwibank Local Hero
For philanthropy, mentoring and community service
- Senior Station Officer, NZ Fire Service
- Volunteer Ambulance Officer, St John
- Honorary Fisheries Officer since 2014
What I'm looking for
Board roles
Independent and chair roles with founder-led, growth-stage or regulated businesses facing a real decision.
Founders
Consumer, health and tech founders with the ambition to scale into the US, UK or Australia.
Hard problems
Sensitive investigations, governance reviews and transactions where clarity matters more than comfort.
Contact
Conversations are confidential and without obligation.
“Home is Christchurch — with my wife, my daughter, and more farming than she thinks strictly necessary.”
— Tristan