About us
As our name suggests, we have a strong belief in the power of collaboration. Whether you’re purchasing your first home, expanding your property investment portfolio, or undertaking a development, we’ll join you wherever you’re at in the journey, providing expert advice along the way.
Meet the Founders
Sam Ludbrook and Dan Bell are two seasoned experts in New Zealand’s mortgage and property finance scene.
Between them they’ve got decades of experience in the industry, having both worked for major banks and mortgage broker firms in New Zealand, perfectly setting them up to hit the ground running at Colab.
On top of that, both Sam and Dan have bucket loads of their own experience in everything property: buying, selling, renovating, developing, investing.. so no matter what your property goals are, you’re dealing with a team that’s been there and done that.
Dan Bell
Founder/Mortgage adviser
Dan’s first experience with property ownership was back in uni and he’s never looked back. Twenty something years later, he’s clocked up experience in the banking and financial markets, including time as Chief Customer Officer and Head of Mortgages at Squirrel. Over that time he’s also completed residential developments and renovations of his own, bought and sold more properties than he can count, and he uses his own experience to help clients going through similar journeys. In his free time, Dan’s all about surfing and winding down with his family on Waiheke Island.
Sam Ludbrook
Founder/Mortgage adviser
Sam has spent the last 25 years in the banking and finance industry across New Zealand and London with various lending roles at the big banks, non-banks, and as an adviser at Squirrel Mortgages. Sam has a ton of personal experience with property, having completed multi-unit developments, subdivisions and renovations, so it’s fair to say he’s seen it all. Outside of the property world, Sam loves to travel and spend time outdoors, with a passion for architecture and chatting about the big topics like technology and the latest AI developments.