The New Zealand Financial Markets Authority has announced that Chief Executive Samantha Barrass will not seek reappointment when her five-year term ends at the end of January 2027. The board said it will shortly begin the recruitment process for a successor, with the announcement made now to allow time for recruitment and transition. Barrass advised the board at the end of last year that she was unlikely to seek a further five-year term because of emerging family needs in the UK. She will remain in the role through the rest of her term and said she will support a smooth handover. The board said her tenure has included implementation of the Conduct of Financial Institutions regime and preparations for the authority to take on credit regulation.
New Zealand Financial Markets Authority2026-05-21
New Zealand Financial Markets Authority announces chief executive Samantha Barrass will not seek reappointment and will launch successor search
The New Zealand Financial Markets Authority announced that Chief Executive Samantha Barrass will not seek reappointment when her five-year term ends in January 2027, citing emerging family needs in the UK. The board will begin recruiting a successor and noted that Barrass will remain in post to support a smooth transition after overseeing implementation of the Conduct of Financial Institutions regime and preparations for the authority’s new credit regulation role.