Investment banker Rob Cameron dies

Rob Cameron, who reformed New Zealand's capital markets after the global financial crisis, has passed away after a long battle with cancer.

Rob, who was 67, was a founder of Cameron Partners and fellow partner Murdo Beattie said that he will be greatly missed.

"Rob will be greatly missed by us here at Cameron Partners and many others in the business and wider community," Beattie said.

"Rob has been a great friend and mentor to all who have worked with him at Cameron Partners and was an innovative thinker, always ready to apply his talents to a wide range of business and public policy issues," he said.

Investment banker Rob Cameron in his Auckland office last year. Photo / Nick Reed.

"He has made a huge contribution to the development of corporate finance and public policy thinking over the years. His views were widely sought and respected, including in his role as Chair of the Capital Markets Development Taskforce."

Cameron, who was first diagnosed with cancer in 2010, was made a companion of the New Zealand order of merit in 2015 for services to business.

"Our thoughts are with those he loved the most – his wife Maureen, his children and grandchildren," Beattie said.

Cathy Quinn, a partner at law firm Minter Ellison Rudd Watts, who sat on the Capital Markets Development Taskforce with Cameron, said he had huge intellect and was a passionate New Zealander.

"It wasn't about self-interest," Quinn said. "It really was about making New Zealand a better place to live."

Quinn said Cameron was inclusive and brought out the best in other people.

"He certainly made his mark on New Zealand capital markets."

Sam Stubbs, managing director of KiwiSaver provider Simplicity who counted Cameron as both a friend and a mentor said New Zealand business had lost a lion.

"He was incredibly effective with what he did. He was incredibly generous with his time."

Stubbs said when he looked back over the last 20 years a handful of people had made a big difference in New Zealand, and for business Cameron was one of those.

"We have a far more vibrant sharemarket because of the effort Rob put in."

Rob McLeod, former chairman of EY who worked with Cameron on the Capital Markets Development Taskforce, said Cameron was a special person with exceptional professional and personal qualities.

"His chairmanship of the Capital Markets Development Market Taskforce was one amongst many examples that demonstrated his enormous energy, technical capability and leadership," McLeod said. "He will be sadly missed by all those that knew him as a colleague and friend."

Reserve Bank Governor Grant Spencer said: "I have known Rob since his early days at Treasury and have kept in touch given his prominent role in NZ financial markets.
Rob made a significant contribution to public policy following deregulation, particularly around the governance of SOEs."

Cameron contributed greatly to financial market policy and practice, Spencer said.

"I was fortunate to be a member of the Capital Market Development Taskforce in 2009 where Rob did an excellent chairing job.

"We will miss Rob for his friendship, good humour and integrity as well as his wide ranging contributions to business and the community."

Funeral arrangements have not yet been finalised but it is expected to be in Wellington later next week.