Departing Financial Markets Authority boss Sean Hughes has set a high bar as the founding chief of the regulator.
Hughes will leave the FMA on December 17 after three years at the helm.
During that time he has overseen the court cases of numerous finance company directors while helping guide the organisation in managing new licensing regimes and a raft of soon-to-be-introduced legislation.
Hughes has been commended for developing a strong culture for engagement with the industry - bucking what was seen as a total lack of communication by previous regulator the Securities Commission.
Last week, he was awarded the Beacon award by the New Zealand Shareholders Association which recognised his leadership.
