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.”