Panel Members
Panel members are appointed by the Governor-General, on the nomination of the Minister of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, under section 6 of the Takeovers Act 1993. There must be between 5 and 11 members. The members are nominated based on their expertise in business, accounting or law. One of the members is also from the Australian Takeovers Panel, appointed under a reciprocal arrangement made between the governments of Australia and New Zealand. The Chair of the New Zealand Panel sits as a member of the Australian Panel under the same arrangement.
Meet the Panel Members
Carl Blanchard
Chair
Partner, Infrastructure and Mergers and Acquisitions at PwC New Zealand. Former Head of Direct Investments at the Accident Compensation Corporation.
Appointed to the Panel in 2011.
Anna Buchly
Deputy Chair
Partner at Bell Gully, specialising in mergers, acquisitions, capital markets and joint ventures. International experience, advising clients in Dubai and Sydney. Member of the Institute of Directors and Champions for Change.
Appointed to the Panel in 2019.
Stephanie Charles
Stephanie Charles - Deal Partner and Head of Capital Markets at BGH Capital. Former Managing Director at Credit Suisse, based in Melbourne and specialising in mergers and acquisitions and equity capital markets.
Member of the Australian Takeovers Panel appointed to the New Zealand Panel in 2024.
Rachel Dunne
Partner at Chapman Tripp specialising in corporate and securities law with particular expertise in equity capital markets, mergers and acquisitions and corporate governance.
Appointed to the Panel in 2023.
Megan Glen
Director of Investment Banking at Forsyth Barr, previously Director at Ascentro Capital Partners. Former portfolio manager at the NZ Super Fund and investment banker in New York and New Zealand with experience in merger and acquisition transactions and securities offerings.
Appointed to the Panel in 2019.
David Goatley
Corporate advisor with significant NZ and international transaction experience across takeovers, mergers and acquisitions, financing including equity capital markets, and corporate restructuring.
Former NZ-based Managing Director with a global investment bank.
Appointed to the Panel in 2023.
Sam Inglis
Chief Operating Officer for Ngāi Tahu Holdings, having been the General Manager Investment for several years. Formerly worked at New Zealand Superannuation Fund, primarily in the International Direct Investment Team, and at the New Zealand Treasury.
Appointed to the Panel in 2023.
Sacha Judd
Managing Director, Hoku Group. Former Partner at Buddle Findlay, specialising in corporate and securities law and takeovers. Member of the Institute of Directors.
Appointed to the Panel in 2015.
Silvana Schenone
Managing Director and Co-Head of Investment Banking at Jarden, specialising in mergers and acquisitions and equity capital markets. Extensive experience advising on corporate and securities law matters in Chile, New York and New Zealand.
Appointed to the Panel in 2016.
Nathanael Starrenburg
Director at specialist corporate law firm, Harmos Horton Lusk. Specialises in public and private mergers and acquisitions, securities offerings and other equity capital markets transactions.
Appointed to the Panel in 2016.
Martin Stearne
Corporate consultant, member of NZX Listing sub-committee and investment committee of Impact Enterprise Fund. Former investment banker with experience in equity capital markets and takeovers.
Appointed to the Panel in 2019.
