Hi, I'm Lionel.
I'm the founder of Fernandes AI Consulting, based in Auckland. I help small mortgage and financial advice practices hand their admin to AI tools that actually fit how they work.
Why I do this
Most mortgage advisers I talk to run one- or two-person practices. The adviser is also the marketer, the receptionist and the bookkeeper. Every hour spent on admin is an hour not spent with clients, which is where they earn.
That pressure is growing. Westpac moved to upfront-only commission in June 2026, so ongoing trail income is shrinking. More borrowers are also switching advisers: in NZ Adviser's annual survey, the share who hadn't recently changed adviser fell from 65% in 2025 to 56% in 2026. Repeat business from refixes and referrals matters more than ever, and that takes time most advisers don't have.
Advisers in the big franchise groups get marketing and technology from head office. Smaller independent practices usually do it all themselves. I want to give them that same support, without them giving up their independence or a share of their commission.
My background
I've spent more than 15 years in sales, client services and operations, in New Zealand and India.
Most of my career in New Zealand has been in business development in logistics and supply chain, with companies including Toll Group, Hillebrand Gori (part of DHL), Sorted Logistics and CaroTrans. More recently I've worked in partnerships for a software business, helping companies connect their systems with their trading partners.
The same lesson kept coming up: new technology only helps when it fits how a business already runs. Get that wrong, and it becomes one more thing to manage. That's why I start every project by learning your practice first.
Earlier in my career I worked as a trainer and performance coach. That taught me to explain things simply and in plain words, which is how I explain AI to the people I work with.
What I'm not
I'm not a financial adviser, and I'm not a compliance expert. I don't touch the advice you give your clients. I build the tools around it, and I work with your existing compliance processes and your compliance adviser.
Qualifications
- Postgraduate Diploma in Business Administration (International Business), Auckland Institute of Studies
- Bachelor of Business Management, St Joseph's College of Commerce, Bangalore