Board recommended new Independent Directors

The Board’s recommendation on the appointment of new Independent Directors is detailed below. As per the Constitution clause 12.2.3(a) The recommended candidates shall be confirmed by resolution of the members at the next Annual General Meeting of the Association. Please see Board Resolution 1 “Appointment of Independent Directors”

The two new recommended Independent Directors are The Honourable Heather Roy and David Kneebone;

Hon. Honourable Heather Roy is one of New Zealand’s most sought-after directors in the not-for-profit sector. She brings a wealth of governance experience and, as a former Minister of Consumer Affairs, a thorough understanding of the machinery of Government. Heather has an attitude of inclusiveness that will ensure members remain the Board’s top priority. Heather will be appointed for a term of three years.

A more detailed bio on Heather is available here.

 

David Kneebone has 15 years’ experience increasing the public’s financial literacy in three countries. As Executive Director for NZ’s Commission for Financial Capability and most recently as General Manager/Director for the Investor & Financial Education Council (IFEC) in Hong Kong, David has been instrumental in the development of social marketing and education programmes, designed to stimulate behaviour change. David will bring the voice of the consumer to the Board. To provide for rotation of directors, David will be appointed for a term of two years.

A more detailed bio on David is available here.

 

Board Recommended Independent Directors
The Financial Advice Board was thrilled with the calibre of the 63 people who applied for the position of Independent Director of Financial Advice New Zealand.

This demonstrates Financial Advice New Zealand’s growing profile and reputation, and the respect it has earned for financial advisers and financial advice.

The Board received a significant number of applicants which were of an extremely high standard – many of whom would have made a significant contribution to the association. During a robust selection process, the Board focused on an evaluation of who they felt would bring strong directorship experience and strengths, and capabilities that would complement those of the other Board members to take the association into the next stage of its development.

Financial Advice New Zealand’s Constitution allows a Board of up eight directors, being up to four Practitioner Directors and up to four Independent Directors. However, since establishment, and recognising the resources and needs of the association as a new entity, the Board has so far consisted of three Practitioner Directors and only two Independent Directors.

This year, the Board recognises that Financial Advice New Zealand has moved to a more mature, and sustainable, phase of its development – in which achieving our Constitution’s mandate to focus on its objectives of promoting the value of financial advice to consumers; advocating for financial advisers and for financial advice; and on building professional standards for financial advisers, will be crucial if we are to move to the next level of performance on your behalf.

Accordingly, and in order to ensure that the number and skillsets of the directors is compatible with the achievement of those objectives, the Board unanimously recommends the appointment of the two Independent Directors named below. This brings the current composition of the Board to a total of six, being three Practitioner Directors and three Independent Directors, which remains within the Constitution’s limit.

The two recommended Independent Directors are The Honourable Heather Roy and David Kneebone.

Annual General Meeting
Members are invited to attend the Annual General Meeting to confirm these appointments. As previously announced, the Annual General Meeting will be held on Tuesday 13th October at 2pm online via Zoom. You can attend in person, or via a proxy.

Full details of the Annual General Meeting and agenda, proxy form, Resolutions and voting details for the Practitioner Director Risk (now open) are available online, see the links below. The Annual Report will be published to members on Tuesday 29th September, two weeks prior to the AGM. At that time registrations of intention to attend the AGM will be open.

If members have questions regarding the Annual General Meeting please contact Katrina Shanks CEO, or Sarah Christian, Manager Governance & Policy on 0800 432 101 or info@financialadvice.nz

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