Jo advises clients on financial sector regulatory compliance, and climate change issues/the emissions trading scheme (ETS).

She acts for financial service providers, including issuers, insurers, product distributors and financial advice providers, and AML/CFT reporting entities to help them operate in compliance with complex regimes while engaging with their customers in an effective way.  Her advice includes the development of effective governance, risk management and conduct policies, procedures and controls.

In the climate change and ETS space, Jo has an extensive knowledge of ETS compliance requirements and strong experience in trading arrangements and commercial issues, and the intersection with related concepts and regimes such as voluntary offsetting and climate-related reporting.

Jo sits on Simpson Grierson’s AML/CFT compliance committee.  She is a director of Market Gardeners Limited (trading as MG New Zealand Fresh Produce Group) and chair of its Audit and Risk Committee.  She is also a trustee of the MG Charitable Trust.  She is a member of the Institute of Directors; INFINZ; and the Canterbury Women’s Legal Association.  She is a certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist with ACAMS.

Work Highlights

Advising on the NZ Emissions Trading Scheme, including participant obligations, emissions trading contracts and forestry issues.

Advising on regulated offers and exclusions, licensing, managed investment scheme establishment and ongoing administration, derivatives, employee share schemes, exemptions, conduct of institutions, climate-related disclosure and financial advice provider obligations.

Advising on wholesale investment establishment and offer documents.

Advising insurers and insurance distributors on licensing, governance, financial services law, and insurance law.

Advising on anti-money laundering regulation, risk assessments and compliance programmes, including taking a lead role in developing Simpson Grierson’s AML/CFT documentation and assisting a number of financial institution reporting entities with their AML/CFT compliance.

Constitutional and governance advice for companies, incorporated societies and commercial trusts.

Establishment of emsTradepoint gas trading platform and ongoing advice and assistance with rule changes, as well as advising on gas industry regulation, transmission arrangements and a range of other gas sector issues.

Advising workplace savings schemes on compliance with the Financial Markets Conduct Act and on trust deed and member issues.

Advising co-operative companies on co-operative issues and on the Financial Markets Conduct Act.

Advising on social enterprise structures and contracting.

Areas of Expertise

Insights & News