Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CAANZ) has appointed former lawyer and senior Westpac staffer Ainslie van Onselen as its new chief executive.
The professional body said van Onselen would start her role with CAANZ on 18 May, succeeding interim chief executive Simon Hann, who took on the position after former chief executive Rick Ellis stepped down from the role.
Van Onselen was previously managing director of RAMS and worked at Westpac Group for six years in a range of roles, including chief of staff to the CEO and director of women’s markets and inclusion and diversity.
Prior to this, she was a litigation lawyer and led a specialist corporate and commercial legal practice in Western Australia.
In addition to her background in financial services, she has experience as a non-executive director for a number of listed, government and not-for-profit organisations.
CAANZ chair John Palermo said: “Ainslie is a great match for the qualities we were looking for.
“She’s a nimble thinker with an eye to the future, has a strong record of strategic thinking alongside a proven ability to be agile and a visible advocate for change for a public benefit.
“Her membership body mindset, future focus and digital acumen will be invaluable to make a difference for the profession of chartered accountants across Australia and New Zealand.”
Palermo also thanked Hann for leading CAANZ through the adjustments required to support members effectively during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Earlier this month, CAANZ, in conjunction with four other professional bodies, announced they had worked with the Australian Securities and Investments Commission to relax the conditions around the provision of financial advice relating to the COVID-19 financial relief measures.
CAANZ also released a template Record of Advice, in partnership with the four professional bodies, for use by registered tax agents in providing advice to clients on the issue of early access to $10,000 of superannuation.
