I am pleased to announce the appointment of Mr Richard Andrew (Andy) Coupe as the part-time New Zealand member of the Australian Takeovers Panel for a five year period. His appointment is under the cross-appointment agreement between the Australian and New Zealand Takeovers Panels.
The Panel is a peer review body that is the main forum for resolving disputes in takeovers. The Panel was established with the aim of being more efficient, less formal and more expeditious than the courts.
The cross-appointment agreement will continue to enhance trans-Tasman cooperation, assist in the harmonisation of regulatory frameworks and facilitate the strengthening of business relationships in both countries.
Mr Coupe has been a member of the New Zealand Takeovers Panel since 2008 and has recently replaced Mr David Jones as Chairperson. He was until recently a consultant in investment banking at UBS New Zealand Limited, where his focus was principally on equity capital markets and takeover transactions.
I would also like to take this opportunity to thank Mr Jones for his valuable contribution as a member of the Panel.