22 Nick Kynoch

FMA General Counsel and Acting Co-Head of Capital Markets, Nick Kynock joined the Authority following work in London but his influence upon FMA policy and enforcement is considerable and the increased muscle flexing by the FMA has seen him in the forefront of compliance and enforcement efforts.

This year he was active in issuing a “stop order” against Syndicated Trusts Limited (STL) in respect of breaches of the Financial Markets Conduct Act and more recently in announcing plans to generate greater accountability by companies undertaking ‘green washing’ practices on their products.

He’s also heavily involved in ensuring the moves towards sustainable investment products does not expose investors to “greenwashing” so that the FMA can benchmark appropriate conduct and disclosure requirements for investors.

Kynoch’s wide experience in financial services regulation in the UK and Europe (he also served on the City of London Law Society Regulatory Committee) give him a perspective and background that pushes him to the top echelons of the Power List.

Before joining Barclays he had worked at Mayer Brown, the US-based legal giant, and then Berwin Leighton Paisner. At both firms he led the London based financial services regulatory teams, advising financial institutions on the requirements of the UK and European regulatory regimes, and the provision of financial products and services.

A powerful force within the FMA, Kynock’s view on key FMA investigations provides a major influence upon New Zealanders.