14 October 1999

Hockey Announces Futures Chief to be Financial Centre CEO

The Minister for Financial Services & Regulation, Joe Hockey, today announced the appointment of the Sydney Futures Exchange chief Mr Leslie Hosking as Chief Executive of the Australian Centre for Global Finance.

"Les Hosking is internationally respected and recognised as making the Sydney Futures Exchange one of the world's leading financial exchanges," the Minister said.

"This sends a very strong message globally.

"Mr Hosking's appointment is another brick in our brick-by-brick construction job to make Australia a leading financial centre in the Asia time zone."

During his 14 years at the SFE, Mr Hosking has overseen substantial development at the exchange, including expansion of products, massive increase in volumes and the ongoing move to full electronic trading, the Minister said.

"I would like to thank Mr Andrew Lumsden, who has been the centre's acting chief executive and who has worked extremely hard to set the centre's early direction."

The Australian Centre for Global Finance is the unit set up by the Government in partnership with the private sector to implement policy and promotion.

Mr Hosking will take up his position with the centre in late January 2000.