
A TRUSTED TEAM ALL
ABOUT TRUSTS
CAPABILITIES & INTEGRITY
our TEAM



James Murden
James Murden is the managing director of JNZ. He is a specialist in the management of family trusts, foundations and complex multi-jurisdictional structures for high net worth individuals with a particular focus on clients with UK interests.
James also serves on the board of JNZ’s domestic trustee companies.
James worked for a well-known global trust and corporate services provider before moving to Monaco in 2012 to join the team of an independent firm. In 2015 he took up a position as head of the Trust and Corporate department of a leading international law firm in Monaco.
James is a member of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners, an IMC member of the Chartered Financial Analyst Institute having completed their Investment Management Certificate, and a student member of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants having completed their Advanced Diploma in Accounting and Business.
Before qualifying as a trust and estate practitioner with Barclays Private Bank in the Isle of Man, James read Ancient History at the University of Warwick in the United Kingdom.


Tim McSweeney
Tim is a director of JNZ and serves on the board of numerous long established New Zealand and offshore trust arrangements, working closely with high net worth and ultra high net worth families.
Tim also serves on the board of two New Zealand based managed trust companies, one of which is a subsidiary of a provider listed on the London Stock Exchange.
In his other professional life, Tim is a highly sought after immigration lawyer, advising and helping individuals and families with their migration to New Zealand.
Tim completed his BA LLB at Auckland University and is a qualified solicitor.


Elena Popova
Elena Popova is head of the accounting department at JNZ. She also serves as JNZ’s Compliance Officer.
Elena prepares (and reviews) financial statements for domestic and offshore structures, liaises with tax departments and regulators, and has over many years established a sound and reputable interface between JNZ’s clients, intermediaries and relevant statutory bodies.
Elena has many years of experience within the industry, having joined JNZ over 7 years ago. Her knowledge of and experience with numerous structuring options makes her an invaluable member of JNZ and highly respected by our clients.
She has a Bachelor of Applied Science Honours Degree and has been a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of New Zealand since 2007. She became a joint member of the Chartered Accountants Australia & New Zealand (CA ANZ) in 2014.


Poemy Xue
Poemy Xue provides accounting, administrative, drafting and organisational support, assisting with bookkeeping for client entities, day to day administration and the maintenance of statutory and compliance records.
Poemy prides herself on being a challenge-seeker of great personality and strong capabilities. She is well respected by our clients and is in regular communication with domestic and offshore clients and intermediaries.
Poemy will complete her Master’s degree in Professional Accountancy in 2023 from Massey University in Auckland. She completed her undergraduate degree in 2015.


Kevin Jones
Kevin Jones is a director of JNZ and the former managing director. He has 30 years’ experience in three jurisdictions: New Zealand, England and Wales and South Africa. As a result, Kevin is well-positioned to assist clients with their inter-jurisdictional and cross border structuring requirements.
Kevin was previously with one of the Big 4 accounting firms as a tax manager and headed the Trust Focus Group, regularly speaking at seminars. He specialises in the area of international and local trust structuring and planning.
Kevin read Social Science and Law at the Universities of Natal and Rhodes respectively. Kevin also has a Diploma in Corporate Law from RAU University, Johannesburg, with honours.