ASIC’s Kell takes top job at ACA
By Jason Spits
AustralianSecurities and Investments Commission(ASIC) executive director of consumer protection Peter Kell has left the industry regulator to become chief executive of the Australian Consumers’ Association (ACA).
Kell takes over from Louise Sylvan who was named as the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) deputy chair late last year.
Kell’s move is a return to the consumer watchdog where he was a senior policy officer from 1995 to 1998 before heading to ASIC’s office of consumer protection.
This part of ASIC’s work was restructured in 2001 at which time Kell become the executive director of consumer protection and reported through to its commission, a structure he will also work under at the ACA, report-ing through to its 13 member council.
In the same year Kell was also appointed as acting regional commissioner for NSW.
The ACA says the appointment of Kell comes as the need for strong consumer representation grows in the areas of health, food regulation, finance and telecommunications.
Kell and Sylvan gained widespread media attention in 2003 when they were the relevant spokespersons for their respective groups during the release of the ACA/ASICQuality of Advicesurvey.
Kell’s role at ASIC has yet to be filled, with the regulator unable to comment further at present.
AUTHOR
Jason Spits
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