NZX - NZX Board appoints Hishaam Mirza as Chief Executive

Wednesday 19th August 2026

Mr Mirza is a highly regarded financial services executive with a successful career in investments and corporate development. He has worked both in New Zealand and overseas with IBM, BP, Lazard, EDF Energy, and NZ Super.

Announcing the appointment, NZX Chair John McMahon says the Board had undertaken a global search for a new chief executive for the NZX Group and Mr Mirza was a standout candidate.

“Hishaam is a proven strategic leader and recently finished a 14-year tenure at NZ Super, culminating in heading Direct Investments and managing a team of high-performing investment professionals,” Mr McMahon says.

“The Board is delighted with Hishaam’s appointment, and we look forward to working with him in delivering NZX’s growth strategy to elevate the performance of NZX and New Zealand’s capital markets.”

Mr Mirza says: “It is a privilege to lead NZX and an opportunity to contribute to an institution that plays a critical role in New Zealand’s capital markets infrastructure.

“NZX is a highly trusted and well run market at the heart of New Zealand’s economy. The opportunity now is to build greater scale, liquidity and global relevance,” Mr Mirza says.

“As Chief Executive, I’m looking forward to ensuring the exchange – and the Smart and NZX Wealth Technologies businesses – remain strong partners for businesses, investors and government; helping New Zealand businesses grow, innovate and compete internationally, while supporting more New Zealanders to build long-term wealth.”

Mr McMahon says Mr Mirza will begin the role on 14 September and Graham Law will continue as Acting Chief Executive until then.

“The Board sincerely thanks Graham for his steady hand in leading the business since the beginning of May.”

ENDS

NZX Board appoints Hishaam Mirza as Chief Executive

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