Former commerce minister appointed to NZX’S board

FORMER National Party Cabinet minister Simon Power and 2015 Cricket World Cup head Therese Walsh have been named NZX directors.

It is part of a restructuring which also creates a new deputy chairman’s position.

The sharemarket business said Power would join the board in December, with Walsh following in February. The firm also announced it is appointing current director James Miller as its first deputy chairman.

The appointments come as Chris Moller leaves NZX’s board in November to focus on being chairman of SkyCity and Meridian Energy.

Simon Power

ThereseWalsh

Power now heads Westpac’s private wealth & insurance unit. As the former commerce minister he led a number of financial market reforms, including starting the Financial Markets Authority.

“Simon will make a strong contribution to NZX across a number of areas and I would particularly like to acknowl- edge Westpac’s vision and investment in Simon and its commitment to the New Zealand capital markets which this appointment demonstrates,” NZX chairman Andrew Harmos said.

Walsh now heads NZ for Cricket World Cup 2015, and was previously chief operating officer for the 2011 Rugby World Cup organising body. Before that she spent nine years at KPMG’s audit and assurance division in Wellington.

“Coming from a nonfinancial markets background, Therese’s skill set will enhance the experience and diversity of thought around our board and we are very enthusiastic about her appointment,” Harmos said.