FMA CEO on leave
The FMA has been thrown into further turmoil with its chief executive taking “a period of leave from today”.
Wednesday, July 29th 2026, 7:04PM
Samantha Barrass addresses the FANZ Summit two days before being put on leave. (Image: Good Returns)
The bombshell announcement comes hard on the heels of former chairman Craig Stobo stepping down and questions over the future of the current CEO Samantha Barrass.
In a statement the board says Barrass is on leave as it begins an urgent assessment of workplace culture concerns.
This week Stuff revealed that allegations had been raised by multiple former employees around “cultural concerns.”
“The FMA Board has recently become aware of cultural concerns at the FMA and is assessing the matters raised as a matter of urgency.”
With Barrass on leave board member Alastair Hercus will step into the role of interim Chief Executive.
In an unrelated announcement in May, the FMA said Barrass would not seek re-appointment at the end of her five-year term in January 2027.
A former senior employee, who was made redundant when Barrass took over, told Good Returns about their concerns about how the regulator was being managed.
"Morale is rock bottom with utter confusion. There’s no substance behind the rhetoric-externally or internally. When staff can’t deliver they’re blamed for letting her down. Having to make folk redundant due to financial mismanagement is an utter disgrace.
"What a shambles. I feel sorry for the good people that remain who are too afraid to speak up."
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