ASX strengthens executive bench with three senior appointments
ASX Limited, Australia’s primary securities exchange operator, has announced three senior executive appointments as part of its broader transformation and renewal program. The changes are among the first actions taken by incoming Managing Director and CEO Anthony Attia, who officially commenced in the role on 1 September 2026.
The three appointees are Keir Barnes as Chief Financial Officer, Mark Peterson as Managing Director, Clearing and Settlement, and Elaine Vaisanen as Chief Operating Officer. All three will report to the MD and CEO and sit on the ASX Executive Leadership Team.
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Three executives, three critical roles
Keir Barnes — incoming CFO
Barnes joins from Dexus, where she served as CFO since 2021 and as deputy CFO for two years prior. She brings over 20 years of experience across finance, funds management, corporate advisory, and chartered accounting.
Key credentials and appointment details:
- MBA (Executive), AGSM
- Bachelor of Commerce, UNSW
- Previously CFO and Deputy CFO at Dexus
- Start date: TBC — current CFO Andrew Tobin will remain in the role and support an orderly handover until Barnes commences
Mark Peterson — Managing Director, Clearing and Settlement (new role)
Peterson steps into a newly constituted role, with no direct precedent in ASX’s prior leadership structure. He served as CEO of NZX, New Zealand’s listed exchange operator, for nine years until April 2026, and as its Head of Markets before that.
Key credentials and appointment details:
- 35-year career spanning NZX, ANZ, First NZ Capital, and National Bank of New Zealand
- Bachelor of Commerce, Victoria University
- Start date: November 2026
- Dual reporting line to the MD and CEO and to the Clearing and Settlement Boards
- Transition managed alongside Acting Group Executive Andrew Jones, who will remain with ASX
Elaine Vaisanen — COO and transformation lead
Vaisanen brings more than 25 years of experience in global markets and client services, primarily with J.P. Morgan across Europe and Australia. Her most recent roles included Head of Fund Services for APAC and Head of CIB Operations for Australia and New Zealand.
Key credentials and appointment details:
- MBA (Finance), Sacred Heart University, Luxembourg
- Bachelor’s Degree, University College Dublin
- Start date: December 2026
- Succeeds Diona Rae, who is departing ASX
- Takes on leadership of ASX’s transformation program, Accelerate, in addition to the COO remit
Appointment Summary
| Executive | Role | Start Date | Replacing | Previous Employer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Keir Barnes | CFO | TBC | Andrew Tobin (retiring) | Dexus |
| Mark Peterson | MD, Clearing & Settlement | November 2026 | New role | NZX (CEO) |
| Elaine Vaisanen | COO + Accelerate Lead | December 2026 | Diona Rae (departing) | J.P. Morgan |
What this signals for ASX’s transformation agenda
ASX operates Australia’s primary securities exchange along with its clearing and settlement infrastructure, making it systemically significant to the functioning of domestic capital markets. Clearing and settlement refers to the back-end processes that confirm and finalise trades after they are executed, ensuring that buyers receive their securities and sellers receive their funds. The reliability of these systems underpins confidence in the broader market.
The creation of a standalone Managing Director, Clearing and Settlement role reflects the operational and regulatory attention this area has received in recent years. Elevating it to a dedicated executive position signals that ASX is treating post-trade infrastructure as a strategic priority warranting its own C-suite leadership.
The ASIC Inquiry Final Report, released in April 2026, established governance and risk management obligations that directly shaped the structural changes now visible in ASX’s leadership design, including the creation of independent Clearing and Settlement Boards and the reset of the Accelerate Program.
Similarly, Vaisanen’s appointment places the Accelerate transformation program under direct COO ownership. Folding it into a senior operational remit, rather than treating it as a separate workstream, suggests the program is being integrated into day-to-day leadership accountability.
For readers wanting to understand the financial scale of the transformation program Vaisanen will now lead, our deep-dive into ASX FY27 capex guidance covers the $180M-$200M investment envelope, the 18%-21% expense growth trajectory, and the regulatory capital obligations shaping near-term dividend policy.
CEO sets the tone early
Anthony Attia, Managing Director and CEO
“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.
Attia’s framing emphasises depth and experience as deliberate priorities, rather than routine succession. His explicit acknowledgements of departing executives Andrew Tobin and Diona Rae point to an orderly transition being managed in parallel with the new appointments. Described as among Attia’s first actions since commencing in September, the pace of these changes suggests further steps under ASX’s broader renewal program are likely to follow as the Accelerate agenda progresses.
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