Milford appoints Gavin Walker chair

Milford Asset Management has appointed Gavin Walker as chair replacing Mark Cross who will retire at the end of June.

Walker has spent the best part of his career in the financial services industry and has held senior leadership and governance roles in both New Zealand and Australia.

He has previously chaired chair ASB Bank, Commonwealth Securities (CommSec), guardian and New Zealand Superannuation Fund, as well as ASB Bank - Investment Committee, with responsibility for the investment and risk management oversight of the bank's retail funds management business.

He joined Milford's board in November 2021.

Walker was the founding chief executive and managing director of Bankers Trust New Zealand and later appointed chief executive of Bankers Trust Investment Bank Australia.

Milford chair Mark Cross welcomed Walker to the board, noting that his extensive financial services and investment governance experience will add significant value to Milford as it continues its strong growth in the New Zealand and Australian markets.

Commenting on his appointment, Walker said he is excited to join the board of an iconic and fast-growing fund manager like Milford.

Cross joined the Milford Board in March 2013 and became chair in November 2015.

In announcing his retirement from Milford, he said. "It has been a privilege to be part of Milford for nearly a decade and to witness the growth of the business from under $2 billion to nearly $17 billion of client funds under management."