Movers & Shakers

Jan Ferguson joins Microsoft New Zealand as small-business manager. She has worked at Sealcorp, Sky TV, the Institute of Management and Fisher and Paykel.

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Walker Capital Management has appointed two independent directors, Don Turkington and Tom Jackson, to its board with Dr Turkington to become chairman.

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Dr Turkington is a director of the Centre for Independent Studies, Sydney, a former executive director of Forsyth Barr, and managing director of Cavill White Securities and Morgan Grenfell. He is a member of the Exchange Appeal Panel and a trustee of the University of Auckland Foundation, Parenting with Confidence and the Auckland Philharmonia Foundation.

Jackson is a former managing director of Guardian Assurance and a general manager at Royal SunAlliance.

Walker Capital Management specialises in Australasian equity funds and is privately owned by staff. Funds under management total over $220m.

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Law firm Parkinson Law has changed its name to Parkinson Jeffcott Muller following Yvonne Muller's appointment as employment partner. Muller was previously with Minter Ellison Rudd Watts.

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Fashion management group Pod has appointed Sharon Hunter to its board of directors. Hunter owned computer retailer PC Direct. Also on the board are George Gould, Kevin Arscott, John Brakenridge, Murray Clarke and Mark Bilton.

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Corporate insurer AIG has appointed Paul Hunt as chief executive of its New Zealand operation. He replaces Anton Du Plessis, who is becoming country manager in the Philippines..