ASX has today announced the appointment of a new Chief Financial Officer and two senior executives as part of its broader transformation and renewal program.
These appointments are among the first actions taken under new ASX Managing Director and CEO Anthony Attia, who officially started on 1 September 2026.
The new appointments will report to the ASX Managing Director and CEO and sit on the ASX Executive Leadership Team.
Chief Financial Officer – Keir Barnes will step into this role, following the announcement earlier this year of current CFO Andrew Tobin’s retirement. Andrew will continue to serve as CFO and will support an orderly transition until Keir’s commencement.
Managing Director, Clearing and Settlement – Mark Peterson will step into this newly constituted role from November
2026, managing the transition with Acting Group Executive, Securities and Payments, Andrew Jones, who will remain with ASX. The Managing Director role will have a dual reporting line to the ASX Managing Director and CEO and the Clearing and Settlement Boards.
Chief Operating Officer – Elaine Vaisanen will step into this reshaped role from December 2026, succeeding Diona Rae as COO who will leave the company. Elaine will also take on leadership of the company’s transformation program, Accelerate.
COMMENTS FROM ASX MANAGING DIRECTOR AND CEO
In announcing these changes, Mr Attia said: “The ASX has a critical role in serving Australia’s capital markets and we have a clear plan for improving how we deliver for all of our stakeholders. These appointments are adding important depth and critical experience to our leadership.
“Keir, Mark and Elaine have decades of global experience in finance, markets and complex operating environments, as well as leading teams through periods of significant transformation.
“They are high calibre, seasoned executives who will help speed up this next phase in ASX’s development and explore opportunities for future growth.
“I want to sincerely thank Andrew Tobin for his continued professionalism and dedication as CFO. I would like to acknowledge Diona Rae’s contribution and leadership through a period of significant change for ASX, and we wish her well for the future,” said Mr Attia.
ABOUT THE NEW EXECUTIVES
Chief Financial Officer – Keir Barnes joins the ASX from Dexus, where she has served as CFO since 2021 and deputy CFO for two years before that. Ms Barnes brings over 20 years’ experience in finance and capital markets gained in roles across finance, funds management, corporate advisory and chartered accounting. Ms Barnes holds an MBA (Executive) from AGSM and a Bachelor of Commerce from UNSW.
Managing Director, Clearing and Settlement – Mark Peterson was the CEO of New Zealand’s listed exchange operator (NZX) for nine years until April 2026, and its Head of Markets before that. Across his 35 year career, Mr Peterson also held senior roles at ANZ, First NZ Capital and National Bank of New Zealand. He has a Bachelor of Commerce from Victoria University. As Managing Director, Mr Peterson will sit on the ASX’s separate Clearing and Settlement Boards.
Chief Operating Officer – Elaine Vaisanen brings more than 25 years’ experience in global markets and client services, primarily with J.P. Morgan in Europe and Australia. She has led large-scale transformation, strengthened operational resilience and managed complex regulatory requirements across multiple jurisdictions, most recently as Head of Fund Services for APAC and prior to that as Head of CIB Operations for Australia and New Zealand. She holds an MBA (Finance) from Sacred Heart University, Luxembourg and a Bachelors’ Degree from University College, Dublin.
