Former Competition Commission deputy chair Carstensen takes Park chairman role

LAURA CARSTENSEN, one of the chief architects of new rules that have shaken up the large listed audit market, has  taken a non-executive chairmanship with multi-retailer gift voucher provider Park.

The former deputy chair of the then Competition Commission succeeds Peter Johnson, who relinquishes his role 3 June 2016.

Carstensen played a key role in moves to reform the audit market and increase competition in the FTSE 350 market.

She is a former partner in Slaughter and May where she specialised in competition and regulation law until she left the firm in 2005.

Carstensen is currently a commissioner of the Equality & Human Rights Commission, leading among other projects the recent report on gender diversity on FTSE 350 boards and a Trustee of National Museums Liverpool.  She has been a non-executive director of the Co-operative Bank PLC since 2014, and is chair of its Values and Ethics Committee.

Park CEO Chris Houghton said: “The appointment of Laura as non-executive chairman is excellent for Park. She has extensive city and PLC experience in financial services, as well as a strong background in corporate governance and, having been with us for some time now, has a thorough understanding of our business. We look forward to a seamless transition and working with her as Park continues to evolve and grow.”