Kepa makes key compliance hire

The hire is designed to make Kepa a New Zealand leader in the provision of financial adviser support services, the group said.

Hodgetts joined Kepa in September from Astute Financial Management where she held the role of head of operations and compliance. She will work with Kepa chief executive Brendon Neal on the Kepa Advice Hub proposition – a new service for financial advisers seeking to licence themselves under the new Financial Services Legislation Amendment Act.

Hodgetts will also work closely with Kepa members to implement suitable compliance frameworks and professional business practices.

She is a qualified financial planner and holds a National Certificate in Adult Education and Training, and previously held roles with the Financial Markets Authority as manager of retail operations and has held senior compliance roles with BNZ and ANZ.

Before this, Hodgetts ran a successful financial planning practice in Brisbane.

Kepa chief executive Brendon Neal said: “We are delighted Leigh is joining the team. She brings to Kepa a deep understanding of compliance frameworks and best practice advice combined with on-the-ground experience of what it takes to be a successful financial adviser. “

This real-world experience is of immeasurable value as we roll-out our Advice Hub service, which is helping financial advisers navigate the new regulatory regime while still maintaining the highest standards of client care.”

Hodgetts added: “Kepa has demonstrated a deep commitment to best-practice standards of regulatory compliance and client care. I am looking forward to joining Kepa and working with Brendon and the broader team to help the organisation build out their programme.”