AFCA appoints new general counsel

The Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA) has announced the appointment of Anna Campbell to the newly created position of general counsel.

Ms Campbell joins AFCA from the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX), where she held various roles over the last 18 years, including, most recently, the role of general manager of enterprise compliance.

In this role, Ms Campbell was responsible for the ASX Group’s regulatory assurance function, involving Corporations Act licence obligations, privacy, competition and other statutory obligations. 

She was also responsible for the ASX’s governance arrangements, including managing the legal counsel who provided legal and secretariat support to the ASX Tribunals function and a subsidiary board.

Previously, Ms Campbell held the role of deputy general counsel at the ASX for nine years.

Prior to working at the ASX, Ms Campbell held the role of acting general counsel at Allianz, and was previously a lawyer in both the private and public sector.

In her new role, Ms Campbell will be providing legal advice to caseworkers and ombudsmen about a variety of issues arising during the complaints process, as well as implementing appropriate risk management strategies for the complaints body.

AFCA chief executive officer and chief ombudsman David Locke said this was an important appointment for AFCA.

“The role of general counsel is a pivotal appointment for AFCA. I am thrilled to welcome Anna and her depth and breadth of experience into AFCA,” Mr Locke said.

“Anna’s cross-sector and regulatory experience, along with her knowledge of the financial services sector means she is exceptionally well placed to provide expert advice on complex legal matters, corporate governance and risk management to AFCA.

“AFCA will benefit greatly from her skills and experience, and I am delighted that she has chosen to join us.

“AFCA now has a new senior executive team in place and is very well placed to deliver on our goal to provide a world-class ombudsman service and consistently provide fair outcomes to our members and consumers.”

Ms Campbell stated that she was energised to be joining AFCA at a time of change, both within the organisation and the financial services landscape.

“AFCA operates in a complex and changing environment, and the functions of corporate governance and risk are more important than ever. 

“I am excited about the challenge and look forward to shaping the way AFCA delivers it legal and compliance functions,” Ms Campbell said.

[Related: AFCA appoints executive GM]

Hannah Dowling is a journalist for mortgage business, the leading source of news, opinion and strategy for professionals working in the mortgage industry.

Prior to joining the team at Mortgage Business, Hannah worked as a content producer for a podcast catering to property investors. She also spent 6 years working in the real estate sector at a local agency. 

Hannah graduated from Macquarie University with a Bachelor of Media and Journalism. 

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