Financial Services Council announces Kirk Hope as its new Chief Executive from September

The Financial Services Council says Kirk Hope is leaving BusinessNZ to become its new Chief Executive Officer.

Hope is currently the CEO of the country’s biggest business lobby group BusinessNZ, a role he has held for nine years. Prior to BusinessNZ, Hope was CEO of the New Zealand Bankers' Association, Executive Director of the Financial Services Federation and held a range of senior positions at Westpac.

The Financial Services Council (FSC) said on Wednesday that Hope will step into the CEO role on September 18th, taking over from Haydee Stroud who will continue in the role of Acting CEO until then.

The previous CEO Richard Klipin – who was FSC’s CEO for over eight years – announced his resignation from the council in February earlier this year.

“After a comprehensive search process, we are delighted to appoint Mr Hope as CEO of the Financial Services Council at a critical time of growth and change for our sector,” FSC board chair Rob Flannagan said.

“Mr Hope is a proven leader with a deep understanding of financial services, the business landscape, and the challenges facing many New Zealanders.”

Hope said he was delighted to be joining the Financial Services Council as Chief Executive.

“[...] I am very much looking forward to working with the members of the Council on strategic and policy initiatives in the financial services sector that will grow the financial confidence and wellbeing of New Zealanders,” he said.

The FSC is a non-profit organisation representing 119 members from across the financial services sector. Its members – including major insurers and fund managers – manage over $100 billion in funds and pay out $2.8 billion annually in claims. 

Other members include life, health, disability, and income insurers, KiwiSaver and workplace savings schemes, professional service providers, and technology providers.

Hope’s last day at BusinessNZ will be on September 6th. He said in a BusinessNZ media release he was announcing his resignation at an early stage so the BusinessNZ Board had time to consider potential candidates for the BusinessNZ CEO role.

Hope said he had led the advocacy group through a period of “growth, consolidation and unprecedented change” over the nine years he’d been with the organisation.

He believed the time was right to “pass the baton to a new leader” and added that he was looking forward to helping the board in their search for a new Chief Executive.

"I have thoroughly enjoyed my time in the hot seat and feel privileged to have had the opportunity to serve the business community of New Zealand,” he said. 

“I wish the BusinessNZ Network continued success in their critical role supporting and advocating for business and economic growth.”