Mark Peterson was appointed as NZX Chief Executive in April 2017. Prior to that he was NZX Acting-Chief Executive from January 2017, after joining in late 2015 as Head of Markets. Over the last nine years as Chief Executive his focus has been on NZX successfully developing and delivering its growth strategy which included executing new opportunities across its businesses that provide long-term returns for shareholders and help grow New Zealand's economy. Since delivering a revised strategy in late 2017, NZX's operating earnings have increased from $28.6 million to $48.5 million; Smart's funds under administration has increased from $2.9 billion to $13.7 billion; NZX Wealth Technologies' funds under administration has grown from $2 billion to $17.2 billion and is now cashflow positive on external client activity; and volume traded under the dairy derivatives partnership with SGX has almost doubled. Mark has also built strong relationships in New Zealand and internationally, in particular the business partnerships with the Singapore Stock Exchange and the European Energy Exchange.