Dunedin

Tyler Lapham

Tyler is a Dunedin local with serious accounting skills and a down-to-earth attitude. He’s joined Sidekick bringing with him a strong background in both public and private sector finance, and a knack for turning numbers into smart business decisions.

Most recently a Senior Accountant at Target Accounting, Tyler’s journey has included time as a Business Analyst at Health New Zealand | Southern, and several years at Findex working with a wide range of clients and industries. He kicked off his career at KPMG and even had a stint in finance retail at Travel Money NZ—so he’s no stranger to dealing with people and pressure.

What makes Tyler stand out? He’s all about personalised support. Whether it’s tightening up systems, making sense of tax, or spotting fresh opportunities, Tyler brings a calm, practical approach that clients really value.

Outside of the office, he’s often on the court—either playing or reffing basketball at the Edgar Centre. He’s a passionate supporter of local businesses and loves being part of the Dunedin community.
We’re stoked to have someone with Tyler’s energy, experience and community spirit joining the Sidekick crew.

You can contact Tyler on 027 58 11 444 or tyler.l@skca.co.nz

Ric Thorpe

Ric Thorpe is the CEO of Sidekick Chartered Accountants, leading a fast-growing, modern accountancy group focused on helping business owners be more successful.

Ric’s background is in sales and marketing, and he brings a commercial, practical mindset to the accounting profession. He works across the Sidekick network to drive growth, strengthen culture, and ensure clients receive advice that is clear, relevant, and actually makes a difference to their business.

Today, Sidekick is a multi-office group with a strong presence across New Zealand, combining local ownership with national capability. Ric plays a key role in expanding the group through new offices, partnerships, and supporting ambitious accountants who want to build something better, whether that’s growing an existing firm or starting one within the Sidekick model.

A big part of Ric’s focus is developing people. He coaches and facilitates Sidekick Squads, bringing together team members from across the country to improve communication, workflow, leadership, and client outcomes. These sessions are designed to create confident, capable professionals who take ownership and deliver real value.

Ric is also a regular speaker at business and industry events, sharing practical insights on growth, client engagement, and building high-performing teams. Through initiatives like SidekickTV, he helps communicate ideas, stories, and strategies that support both clients and the wider business community.

At his core, Ric is passionate about culture and clarity. He believes that when people understand what success looks like, have the right support around them, and enjoy the environment they work in, great results follow

Helen Pauley

Helen is a Marlburian who has travelled the world and landed back here. Having a varied work life from managing a regional office for a multi-national advertising firm, owning a hospitality business to practice management of a medical practice, Helen brings a bucket load of skills. Communication is her flag ship skill and she enjoys problem solving. Resourceful and fun, pretty much sums her up.

She is married to Gary, who is a Business Advisor and in their spare time they love to travel to family & friends, experience the great outdoors and discovering new recipes and flavours, accompanied by a glass of fine wine.

Steph Holt

Steph is the creative mind behind Sidekick’s brand – making sure everything from marketing campaigns to internal events reflects who we are and what we stand for. With over 15 years of experience in design and strategy, she loves finding fresh, meaningful ways to bring the Sidekick story to life. From shaping how our brand looks and feels to creating moments that connect our team and clients, Steph brings a mix of curiosity, energy, and heart to everything she does.

Outside of work, Steph enjoys spending time with her son Ollie and tending to her ever-growing veggie patch – a creative outlet that balances her busy, design-filled days.

Manoli De Silva

Manoli keeps the team running smoothly, making sure all the day-to-day details are taken care of. She has a bachelor’s degree in law from the University of London and a master’s in international relations from the University of Colombo, she has worked across law firms, UN agencies, and the government sector. Her experience in different environments gives her a strong eye for detail and a knack for keeping things organised and on track.

A massive foodie, Manoli loves cooking and trying out new restaurants. She also enjoys running and staying active, and likes to unwind with a good book and a glass of wine. Most of all, she treasures spending time with her husband and their two young daughters. 

Anna Cochrane

Anna brings a wealth of experience in accounting tech, with a strong focus on FYI and Xero. Having worked closely with firms across New Zealand to implement systems and streamline processes, she’s a go-to expert when it comes to getting the most out of your tech stack.
Anna is passionate about solving problems, improving workflows, and helping teams work smarter. Now based in Timaru to be closer to family, Anna supports Sidekick on a range of internal projects—bringing her trademark energy, insight, and practical know-how to every challenge.