Executive Team
- Grenville Gaskell (Chief Executive)
- Simon Dixie (General Manager Operations)
- Alex Polaschek (General Manager Personal and Business)
- Ann Brennan (General Counsel)
- Kenneth Reilly (Chief Financial Officer)
- Grant Brenton (General Manager Marketing)
- Dennis Church (General Manager Corporate Trusts)
- Dave Conning (General Manager Human Resources)
Grenville Gaskell
Chief Executive
Grenville has been Chief Executive of Public Trust since April 2007.
He was formerly Director of New Zealand Operations for a major energy company, responsible for electricity generation, wholesale and retail. He also held senior roles in banking, leading the integration of a major retail bank, and as General Manager Retail Markets was responsible for personal customer strategy and core banking products. Grenville has considerable experience in product strategy, new product launches, and major change programme management.
Grenville lives in Wellington. His interests include tennis, skiing, gardening, building his vinyl collection, and time with family and friends.
Simon Dixie
General Manager Operations
Simon has been with Public Trust since May 2007. He has 25 years experience in management roles in the finance and electricity industries including IT management, banking credit cards, finance, project and programme management, risk management, people management and development.
As General Manager of Operations, Simon is responsible for managing the delivery of Public Trust's estate and trust administration services, mortgage processing, information services and funds administration.
Simon lives in Wellington. He has a keen interest in food and before joining Public Trust, took four months out to achieve a formal chef's qualification.
Alex Polaschek
General Manager Personal and Business
Alex Polaschek joined Public Trust in June 2007. He previously held senior management roles with major electricity companies including sales and marketing, corporate sales, commercial management and pricing management.
His current role covers development, and delivery of Public Trust products and services through the national retail network and call centre.
Alex lives in Auckland. He and his partner have four daughters aged from 6 to 16 years.
Ann Brennan
General Counsel
Ann joined Public Trust in April 2007. Prior to Public Trust, Ann held senior legal positions with a major trading bank and spent some years with two commercial law firms.
Ann has significant experience in corporate and commercial law, banking and financial services, governance, regulation and dispute resolution, and is a barrister and solicitor of the High Court of New Zealand.
Ann leads the Legal, Risk and Compliance team, acts as Board Secretary and is responsible for Quality Assurance and Regulatory Affairs.
Kenneth Reilly
Chief Financial Officer
Ken joined Public Trust in March 2010. Ken has extensive experience in senior financial management roles gained from positions he has held overseas and in New Zealand. He has worked in industries as varied as telecommunications, manufacturing, research and development, energy and consulting.
As CFO, his areas of responsibility include finance, tax, planning, investments, commercial services and the project management office. As Programme Director, Ken is also responsible for delivery of Public Trust’s change programme, including establishing and managing programme and project management methodologies and standards, prioritising investments and monitoring Public Trust’s overall performance.
Originally from Canada, Ken has lived in Wellington for the past 15 years and enjoys spending time with his wife and two young children.
Grant Brenton
General Manager Marketing
Grant joined Public Trust in 2008, after 13 years in executive roles at another major trustee company, including national manager, and general manager of personal client services. He has also owned and operated retail businesses, and had senior roles with two major finance companies. He has a Bachelor of Commerce (Management) from the University of Canterbury.
Grant is responsible for the development and implementation of Public Trust's marketing strategy.
Grant lives in Wellington. He is a keen family man and an avid supporter of his children's scholastic, cultural and sporting activities.
Dennis Church
General Manager Corporate Trusts
Dennis joined Public Trust in 2005, and was appointed to his current role in 2008. With over 20 years experience in the corporate trustee industry, Dennis has particular expertise in corporate finance, structured finance transactions and all forms of securities issues. He has extensive business experience, including as a share broker, and management consultant for a global consulting group.
Dennis holds a Bachelor of Business Studies from Massey University, an MBA from Victoria University; is a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of New Zealand, and the Institute of Finance Professionals.
Dennis lives in Auckland. His interests include fly fishing, aviation and sport.
Dave Conning
General Manager Human Resources
Dave joined Public Trust in 1997 and was appointed HR Manager in 1999. He has 25 years experience, mostly in human resources, in the financial services and investment/funds management sector. This included a role as HR Manager for a major investment company. He is a professional member of the Human Resources Institute of New Zealand.
Dave has been involved in a number of changes at Public Trust, including the transition to a Crown Owned Entity.
Dave lives in Wellington. He is a keen trombonist in a number of bands and orchestras, a keen golfer and is raising two teenagers.

