Former FMA boss joins Simplicity

Rob Everett, the former chief executive of the Financial Markets Authority (FMA) and NZ Growth Capital Partners (NZGCP), has joined the Simplicity and will become its independent chairman from July 1.

He replaces Joy Marslin, who has been chair since 2016.

“We’re delighted to have someone of Rob’s calibre join our mission to give Kiwis more dignity in retirement,” she says.

“He has significant depth and breadth of industry experience and is a proven performer in both the FMA and NZGCP roles. The board and team couldn’t be happier that he’s joined Simplicity.”

Everett was FMA CEO for seven years and CEO of NZGCP from early 2022 until this year. He qualified as a lawyer with international law firm Allen and Overy in London, before spending 18 years with investment bank Merrill Lynch in London, New York and Hong Kong.

Everett says; “I have so much admiration for what Sam, Joy and the Simplicity team have achieved so far.  I’m thrilled to be joining such a high quality board and I’m inspired at the prospect of building out the role that Simplicity plays in serving New Zealanders.”

Meanwhile, founder and managing directors Sam Stubbs says; “After almost nine years as chair, we’re sorry to see Joy leave a role she has mastered. But we couldn’t be happier that Rob is joining us.”

“He was our number one pick for the role,” he said.

“He’s a keen supporter of the English rugby team, so we will have to do something about that, but in all other respects he’s an awesome fit for a business that wants to be the big disruptor,” Stubbs says.