About the Panel

Takeovers Panel Board Chair Andy Coupe today announced the appointment of Anna Buchly and Martin Stearne to the Takeovers Panel, the government’s regulator of the corporate takeovers market.

Anna Buchly is the current Chair and a Partner in national law firm, Bell Gully. She has extensive experience advising on mergers and acquisitions and capital market transactions. Ms Buchly is ranked as a leading lawyer in Chambers Asia Pacific 2018 and The Legal 500 Asia Pacific 2018.

Mr Coupe said, “Ms Buchly is a highly experienced legal practitioner in mergers and acquisitions, and has expertise in corporate and securities law. She will be an asset to the Panel.”

Martin Stearne is a corporate consultant, and a member of the NZX listing sub-committee and the investment committee of Impact Enterprise Fund. He was a former investment banker with First New Zealand Capital, and has extensive experience in takeovers and equity capital markets.

“Mr Stearne has a strong investment background and experience in mergers and acquisitions. The Panel will benefit from his wide-ranging expertise,” said Mr Coupe.

These new appointments will take effect from 1 February 2019. The term is for four years.

Mr Coupe also announced the recent reappointment of current members Richard Hunt and Tony Pigou for a further term effective from 3 September 2018.

“Both Mr Hunt and Mr Pigou have made important contributions to the Panel during their respective tenures, and I am pleased that they have accepted a further term,” said Mr Coupe.

Mr Coupe also acknowledged outgoing members Murdo Beattie and Tina Symmans, and thanked them for their valuable contributions and dedication to the Panel. Mr Beattie has been a member since 2008, and Ms Symmans since 2013.