New Zealand’s Financial Markets Authority (FMA) has named Sharon Thompson its new Executive Director for Transformation and Operational Delivery.

As part of her new role, she will guide the FMA’s direction across numerous sectors, including technical operations, project management, data engineering and finance.

Ms Thompson joins the financial regulator after five years in her previous job as Deputy Commissioner for Customer and Compliance Services (Individual) at Inland Reserve. She has also held senior leadership positions at Westpac and ASB bank.

FMA Chief Executive Samantha Barrass described Ms Thompson as an “exceptional appointment”, praising her “strong experience leading enterprise level organisations in both the public and private sector, through operational transformation”. Ms Thompson will be based in Auckland for the role and is expected to begin later this month.

The FMA also announced that Director of Regulation and Operations John Botica intends to retire and will leave the regulator in June. Mr Botica, who is also Director of Market Engagement, joined the FMA in 2013, and has held several leadership positions.

“The Board and I want to acknowledge John’s significant contribution to the FMA. His experience and knowledge was instrumental in our successful implementation of the new financial advice regime,” Ms Barrass said.