Boardroom and operation, one standard of evidence.

Having been fortunate enough to retire at 40, Tristan spent two years at home watching his baby daughter grow, volunteering in the community and indulging a passion for farming. In 2015 the Ethique board invited him to step out of retirement as Group Chief Operating Officer — the start of an eight-year chapter that took the brand global.

Tristan founded, scaled and sold his companies to a major US technology firm before turning to mission-driven ventures. As Group COO he helped take Ethique from early-stage venture to a global brand in more than twenty-six countries, and led negotiations for its sale to a US private equity firm. With founder Brianne West he then co-founded Insprie Labs, which backs founders with non-predatory capital and hands-on support.

Alongside his commercial career he has built specialist capability in complex fraud, cybercrime and investigative work, advising government and corporate clients across multiple jurisdictions. His education spans law, accounting and criminal profiling; he holds a high-level security clearance and is a Licensed Investigator in New Zealand.

Roles across emergency services, investigations, primary industries and national security have given him working relationships with ministers and senior officials across the political spectrum — a real advantage for businesses in regulated or politically exposed sectors.