The Insurance & Financial Services Ombudsman Scheme has appointed Teresa Tepania-Ashton and Kendall Flutey as commissioners.
Tepania-Ashton is the CEO of Māori Women’s Leadership Inc. In the past, she worked for 12 years internationally with Citibank, and is currently director-chair of Ahau NZ Ltd, chair of Kahukuraariki Trust, and AKINA Steering Group member. She received the NZ Order of Merit for services to Māori and business in 2016.
Flutey is the founder and CEO of financial literacy platform Banqer. She is a member of the Digital Council of Aotearoa and the Initial Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission. Flutey was named Young New Zealander of the year in 2019, and Young Māori Business Leader of the Year in 2018.
“Teresa and Kendall are both innovative leaders with strong financial sector experience,” said IFSO Scheme Commission chair, Sue Suckling. “Their vision and experience will contribute strongly to our future direction.”
The two join Dr Pushpa Wood as consumer representatives on the IFSO Scheme Commission. Wood is the director of Massey University’s Financial Education and Research Centre and was awarded the New Zealand Order of Merit in 2016 in recognition of her contributions to financial literacy and interfaith relations.
Aside from three consumer representatives, the IFSO Scheme is composed of three industry representatives: Chris Curtin, AA Insurance CEO, Rob Hennin, nib NZ CEO, and Lyn McMorran, executive director of the Financial Services Federation.
