NZX appoints Smartshares chief executive

NZX recruits from broking firm to fill vacant Smartshares CEO role.

Saturday, June 24th 2023, 3:21AM

Markets professional and senior executive Anna Scott as is Smartshares new chief executive following the resignation of Hugh Stevens.

Scott joins NZX from Auckland-based private wealth advisory group, Hobson Wealth, where she was its chief operating officer.

“Anna is a seasoned financial services leader with strong operational skills, experience and commercial acumen,” NZX chief executive Mark Peterson says. “We are confident Anna’s expertise, background and knowledge will help drive the necessary synergies, efficiencies and leverage Smartshares needs to deliver to its growth ambitions.”

She has been with Hobson Wealth since 2016 advising on business transformation, working with the firm to become an NZX Trading and Clearing Participant and establishing the custody business.

She was appointed as a director on the Hobson Board in 2018 and then the role of COO in 2019. Scott has more than 20 years’ market experience, having held roles in programme and business management in London, Kuala Lumpur and Auckland. She was an executive director and global business manager for JPMorgan’s Investment Bank currency trading division and consulted on a number of business improvement programmes, reviewing strategies, optimising business processes and ensuring the delivery of change programmes.

Scott is well-known to NZX having held the position of Future Director with NZX in 2019 and has been an Independent member of the NZX Board Technology Committee.

Smartshares has around 120,000 investors and $10.5 billion in funds under management.

Scott takes up the role at Smartshares on 4 September and will be based in Auckland.

Tags: NZX