Financial Markets Authority - Chief Executive
Financial Markets Authority – Chief Executive (Role can be based in Auckland or Wellington)
About the Financial Markets Authority
The Financial Markets Authority - Te Mana Tātai Hokohoko (FMA) is New Zealand’s conduct regulator for financial markets. The FMA licenses and supervises financial service providers, monitors market conduct, takes enforcement action where standards are not met, and provides guidance and information to help firms comply and New Zealanders make informed financial decisions.
The FMA is an Independent Crown Entity, responsible for promoting fair, efficient and transparent financial markets. Its remit spans capital markets and market infrastructure, banking and insurance conduct, KiwiSaver and investment management, financial advice, and recently also consumer credit, making it New Zealand’s single conduct regulator for financial markets.
About the role
The Financial Markets Authority is entering a defining phase of its evolution. Reporting to the Board, the Chief Executive will lead New Zealand's financial markets conduct regulator through a period of significant opportunity, shaping the future of proportionate and effective regulation, strengthening confidence in New Zealand's financial system.
The Chief Executive will play a critical system leadership role, supporting competition, innovation and capital markets development while maintaining strong consumer and market protections. Working across government, industry and regulatory partners, the role will influence how regulation supports both economic growth and public confidence.
The Chief Executive leads the organisation’s strategy, performance and culture, including leading a high-performing Executive Leadership Team, building organisational capability and culture, ensuring disciplined delivery of a large and complex work programme, and working across government, industry and consumer stakeholders to support well-functioning financial markets and outcomes for New Zealanders.
About you
Ideally, candidates will bring a mix of the following attributes:
Significant senior leadership experience with comparable organisational impact and complexity, with accountability for strategy, people, systems, budget and financial performance, and reporting to a Board.
Experience and credibility in financial services and capital markets, with a strong understanding of the institutions, stakeholders and landscape - here and offshore.
A track record of effectively leading organisational change, including cultural change, and the ability to lead performance and operational discipline at scale.
A track record in collaboration and building strong stakeholder relationships in a complex environment, including across industry, government agencies and Ministers.
Visible people leadership and high emotional intelligence: someone who listens deeply, is decisive and clear, and is credible to a purpose-driven workforce.
An understanding of the machinery of government and of modern regulatory practice, from guidance and engagement, through to enforcement.
This is a rare opportunity to lead one of New Zealand's most influential regulatory organisations. The successful candidate will help shape the future of financial markets regulation, balancing innovation and growth with consumer protection, while contributing to the long-term prosperity and resilience of New Zealand's economy.
How to apply
Kerridge & Partners is assisting with the appointment process for this role. To express interest, please contact Nicole.See@Kerridgepartners.com or call +64 9 969 9900. Applications close at 5pm on 2 October 2026.