ASIC appoints first chief risk officer

The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) has appointed its first chief risk officer.

Zack Gurdon has joined the regulator from the tech world, having held senior risk and integrity roles with NBN Australia and Telstra. He started his career as a corporate investigator with Australia Post.

Gurdon's appointment is part of ASIC's 2020-24 corporate plan, which was released at the end of August. The plan is about actions taken to address the economic impact from the COVID pandemic as well as long-term economic recovery.

Among the regulator's objectives is the promoting confident participation int he financial system and deterring poor behaviour and misconduct.

"This is the purpose of all our work, both in the immediate context of the pandemic and beyond it," said ASIC chair James Shipton. "We will continue to respond rapidly and strategically to the threats arising in an uncertain environment."