FMA Appoints Samantha Barrass as Its New Chief Executive

(Source: LinkedIn)

The New Zealand's Financial Markets Authority (FMA) today announced the appointment of the experienced international regulator Samantha Barrass as its new Chief Executive, effective from January 2022. And the outgoing Chief Executive Rob Everett will leave at the end of October.

Samantha has a strong New Zealand connection and brings deep international regulatory experience and leadership skills to the role, according to FMA Chair Mark Todd. “Samantha has had a very successful career to date, operating in a number of complex and challenging environments. Her knowledge and experience of the insurance and banking industries will be particularly relevant for the increased role the FMA is to play in those areas.”

Samantha has worked in a range of regulatory and executive roles in the UK and Europe. Between 2014 and 2019, she was the Chief Executive Officer of the financial regulator in Gibraltar. The role encompassed conduct and prudential regulatory oversight. Earlier in her career she worked for nine years in a number of roles at the UK Financial Conduct Authority.

Most recently, Samantha led the establishment of the UK’s Business Banking Resolution Service, an innovative service designed to resolve disputes between banks and their business customers. She has also held senior roles at the UK Solicitors Regulatory Authority and the London Investment Banking Association.