Mark Weldon, the boss of NZX, operator of the New Zealand stock exchange, has announced he is to step down after almost 10 years in the job.
In a statement released by NZX, Mr Weldon informed the board that he would give up his chief executive's role early next year.
"Although it's been a very tough decision to leave, I know it's the right time," Mr Weldon said.
NZX chairman Andrew Harmos paid tribute to Mr Weldon's leadership of the company since taking over in 2002.
It now had an operating profit approaching $30 million, dividends in 2011 of $17.24 million and a market capitalisation of around $288 million.
"Under his stewardship, NZX has grown from a small and threatened mutual exchange to a thriving information, markets and infrastructure business, with a range of integrated business lines, a healthy balance sheet and a valuable set of options for future growth," said Mr Harmos.
Mr Weldon, a former Olympic swimmer, graduated from Auckland University with a first class honours degree in economics and a Bachelor of Commerce. He studied at the Columbia University School of Law in New York, graduating in 1997 with a Doctorate in Jurisprudence.
He worked for New York law firm Skadden, Arps, Slade, Meagher & Flom and was a senior engagement manager at McKinsey & Co.
NZN