Wellington barrister named as new FSCL chair

Jane Meares has been appointed as the chairperson of Financial Services Complaints Limited (FSCL).

The Wellington-based commercial barrister succeeds the independent disputes resolution service’s first chairperson, Kenneth Johnston QC, who was appointed to the High Court bench earlier this year.

“We look forward to Jane bringing her expertise, wisdom and perspective to the work we’re doing to improve consumer confidence in the financial services sector,” said Susan Taylor, FSCL CEO.

Taylor also congratulated Johnston on his new role and thanked him for his work at FSCL for the past eight years.

A barrister at Clifton Chambers, Meares acts in a wide range of public-sector and commercial advisory matters. Her clients include in-house legal teams, solicitor firms, and overseas clients. She has overseen independent enquiries and reviews for government departments.

Meares is currently chief commissioner of the Transport Accident Investigation Commission, chair of the Risk and Audit Committee of the Parliamentary Counsel Office, and a director of ECNZ Limited. She is also a board member of the Governance and Investor Oversight Board of Trustees Executors Limited, an independent advisory board of the Department of Corrections.

“Since the introduction of KiwiSaver, there has been a renewed focus on savings and investments. As they continue to grow in importance to New Zealanders it is crucial that disputes between providers and the public can be fairly and efficiently resolved.  I look forward to contributing to the work of FSCL in promoting consumer confidence and transparency in this sector,” Meares said.