Mark van Leewarden established his first investigation company in 1985 while studying for his law degree. This company was eventually sold and following the management of several investigation companies, Mark went to the criminal and civil bar in Auckland. As a result of practising at the commercial bar as a Barrister, he saw the necessity for a boutique investigation company.
Warden Consulting Limited was incorporated in 1995. Our mission was to provide a blend of investigating lawyers in the absence of an overarching global fraud investigation body.
By conducting undercover operations, the necessity for overt preventative measures appeared. This requirement evolved into establishing an elite uniform security guard service to meet the needs of high-level clients. Implementing these services revealed the unique potential of integrating uniform security services and investigation, an approach we still apply today.
Tying these threads together has given rise to our current services, staff and ethos.
Both our managing director and investigations manager hold practising certificates as Barristers of the High Court of New Zealand. This makes us the only private investigation company in the world with two investigating Barristers on staff.
The company retains national investigation and security contracts with the government and has done so for a number of years.
With expertise in fraud investigation and recovery, we have a proven track record of success getting distribution to victims precedents in the USA and Switzerland. Warden is also the only company in Australasia with a dedicated undercover programme, which has been operational for over 17 years.
Managing Director and founder, Mark ("Emu") van Leewarden, is a former New Zealand Police Detective. In 1989 he graduated with a LLB (Hons) Degree from Canterbury University. Mark holds a current practising certificate as a Barrister and was admitted to the bar in 1992. Following admission, he practised in different legal chambers covering crime, commercial law and fraud matters. He is a Certified Fraud Examiner, a member of the American Society of Industrial Security and International Bar Association. The media have christened him "the financial bounty hunter". Additionally, he is a rugby, custom motorcycles and road trip fan.
mark@wardenconsulting.comCharlotte ("Horse") graduated from Otago University with an LLB degree in 2010, winning the Insolvency prize in that year. She joined the company upon graduation fulfilling a variety of roles before taking up the Investigations Manager position. Charlotte is a director of the company and holds a current practising certificate as a Barrister. She has appeared as junior counsel in a number of high profile fraud trials. Charlotte is an avowed petrol head.
charlotte@wardenconsulting.comFinance Manager and Director, Ainsley ("Ladybird"), began her career as a Teacher before joining the New Zealand Police. During her time with the Police, she was a member of the Diplomatic Protection Squad, attending to high profile dignitaries and politicians. Ainsley was the personal bodyguard to Princess Diana during her tour to New Zealand. She also covered the protection duties of President Jimmy Carter, Princess Anne and Prince Edward. Given her background Ainsley has an excellent knowledge of the law, Court procedures and legislation, has developed excellent communication and interviewing skills, and is highly adept at analysing information. She is a keen traveller and maintains an avid interest in art and architecture.
ainsley@wardenconsulting.comDenise ("Diesel") is our Office Manager and has been with Wardens since 2006. She manages each and every detail of our day-to-day business. Diesel came to us following a long and varied career in the legal and commercial sectors, commencing work as a Court Stenographer at the (then) Magistrates Court in Auckland and subsequently working for Barristers, Queen’s Counsel and law firms in New Zealand, Australia and the UK. She is a born and bred Westie and, of course, another of our company’s petrol heads.
denise@wardenconsulting.comGeneral manager, Ben Van Leeuwarden (Snake), is a licensed private investigator with over 8 years experience in international fraud, surveillance, undercover operations and security. Ben brings true international experience to the company having worked in Amsterdam, New York and London. He holds a Bachelor of Commerce (Bcom) from Victoria University in Wellington. Ben also runs his own motorcycle tour company in New Zealand, USA and India.
ben@wardenconsulting.com