Rangiora

Jason Stapley

Jason is a Director at Sidekick Rangiora, helping SME business owners turn their numbers into clear decisions and better results.

With more than 15 years’ experience in accounting and business advisory, Jason has worked in both public practice and commercial accounting roles. He joined Sidekick in 2018 and brings particular strength in supporting growth businesses across construction and property, trades, hospitality and other service-based businesses. Jason is a Chartered Accountant, holds a Bachelor of Commerce and is a Certified Public Practitioner.

Business owners often come to Jason when they need to understand what their numbers are really telling them. He helps clients work through decisions around growth, cashflow, pricing, staffing and business structure, turning financial information into practical insights and clear next steps.

Jason’s style is calm, practical and straight-talking. He enjoys conversations that look ahead, not just back – helping clients move from reactive to proactive with advice that is grounded in real numbers and focused on better decisions. For Jason, accounting is about more than compliance. It’s about building strong relationships, challenging clients when needed, and being alongside them as they plan, grow and move forward.

Outside work, Jason enjoys spending time with his wife and three kids, getting outdoors, travelling when they can, playing masters football and supporting local businesses.

Katie Moratti

Katie joined the Sidekick team after completing her Bachelor of Commerce at the University of Canterbury in 2021, majoring in Accounting with a minor in Human Resources. She is now on the path to becoming a qualified Chartered Accountant.

A local to the area, Katie has lived in Rangiora for most of her life. She enjoys being actively involved in her community and currently serves on the Board of the Saracens Rugby Football Club.

In her spare time, Katie loves reading, watching her children and friends play sport, and holidaying in the beautiful Marlborough Sounds.

As a Shareholder of our Rangiora office, Katie is proud to be part of the Sidekick Group. She is dedicated to helping clients thrive by providing them and their businesses with strong, supportive guidance.

She combines friendly, hands-on support with the latest accounting technology to help business owners stay organised, save time, and make smarter decisions.

Jayne Frostick

Jayne joined the Sidekick Rangiora in November 2019 as the Client Service Manager. Originally from the UK, she used to run her own successful delivery company, which has given her a great basis to understand, guide and provide the necessary assistance to help build successful businesses for our clients.

Jayne also brings a wealth of administration qualities that she’s gained from working in the Medical, Recruitment and Healthcare sectors and she has a real passion for providing assistance to others.

Jayne lives local to the office with her husband and daughter and most importantly the office dog Marley. She loves going to the movies, shopping and travelling around the amazing sites that New Zealand has to offer.

Lauren Sawtell 

A Chartered Accountant since 2014, Lauren has experience in large and medium sized accounting firms, and was Financial Controller for a Body Corporate Management firm before joining Sidekick.

Lauren enjoys spending time with her daughter and her family, going for walks and enjoying nature. She has a passion for all things Japan, especially cooking, and she enjoys travelling there where she can.

Lauren enjoys working with local businesses and helping them grow.

Liam Goodwin

Liam joined Sidekick following his experience at a medium-sized firm in Christchurch. He holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree, majoring in Accounting and Taxation, from the University of Canterbury and is currently working toward his Chartered Accountant qualification through CAANZ.

Outside of the office, Liam is passionate about all forms of biking. He’s actively involved in the community as one of the event organisers for Hedge Fest and serves on the board of the North Canterbury BMX Club.

Abbey Miles

Abbey joined Sidekick in May of 2026 as a Junior Bookkeeper. She is currently in her final year completing her Bachelor of Commerce at the University of Canterbury. Once her degree is completed, she plans to work towards becoming a Chartered Accountant.

In her free time, she enjoys playing social netball, spending time with family and friends and going for walks around Christchurch. She enjoys a challenge, whether that be an escape room or puzzles, she is always keen to get involved.

Abbey is very excited to be starting her journey at Sidekick and learning more every day. She is a big people person and loves connecting with new people. Abbey can’t wait to start helping clients, not only achieve but surpass their goals.

Ric Thorpe

Ric is CEO of Sidekick Holdings, helping grow the Sidekick group while supporting our offices, people and clients to be more successful.

Ric has been involved with Sidekick since 2010 and became CEO in early 2025. His background sits across business growth, marketing, sales, strategy, technology and client experience rather than traditional accounting. This gives Ric a different lens within the accounting world, with a focus on helping business owners make better decisions, understand where they are heading and connect the right advice, people and systems around them.

Ric works closely with ambitious business owners, growing SMEs, regional businesses and people who are trying to build something bigger or better. He also spends a lot of time with accounting firm owners, partners and leaders who are thinking about growth, succession, joining Sidekick or building a stronger future for their team and clients.

Clients often come to Ric for clarity, growth ideas, a fresh perspective and honest conversations about what needs to change. He helps people work through growth decisions, marketing and sales opportunities, technology, AI and automation, leadership, succession and turning loose ideas into practical plans. Ric is especially good at joining the dots between marketing, sales, systems, people and numbers, helping business owners focus on the things that will really move the dial.

His style is straight-talking, energetic and practical. Ric likes big-picture thinking, but he is always focused on turning ideas into action. For him, good advice should make business feel clearer, less lonely and more manageable. He believes business owners do not need more noise – they need clarity, confidence and practical help from people who genuinely want them to win.

Outside work, Ric enjoys spending time with family, cars and motorbikes, travel, good food, coffee and finding interesting places. He is naturally curious and enjoys learning about new ideas, technology, business models and people. Ric has also been involved in community and charity activities, including running 50km for Life Education Trust Canterbury, and is interested in supporting young people, business owners and regional communities where Sidekick can make a positive difference.

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 teenage son, road-tripping in her self-converted campervan 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. 

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.