He is the new head of legal, consultancy and general counsel.
Paul O’Neil.
The EMA has announced the appointment of Paul O’Neil as its new head of legal, consultancy, and general counsel.
O’Neil joins the EMA from the Serious Fraud Office (SFO), where he has most recently been general counsel and deputy chief executive operations, as well as periods as acting director and chief executive.
“New Zealand businesses have never needed support as much as they do now and the opportunity to be part of supporting the business community as a whole and having a positive effect on the country’s economy is one that I embrace,” O’Neil said.
“It’s such a fast-changing legal landscape – from how we want our workplaces to look and operate to making sure business members understand the legislative environment.”
One of the things O’Neil is particularly proud of during his time at the SFO was the development of guidance during the recent pandemic to help organisations prevent fraud on much needed relief funds intended to support the New Zealand economy during the impacts of Covid.
“When Covid first hit, we worked to help reduce the risk of Covid money being lost to fraud because it was vital that those relief funds went where they were intended,” said O’Neil.
Chief executive Brett O’Riley said the EMA looked forward to welcoming O’Neil officially on December 12, and that his private practice and public entity experience, coupled with his work with the Government and various committees, would be invaluable.
“We look forward to Paul joining us and leading our EMA legal practice, helping our member businesses tackle their biggest challenges,” he said.
This is supplied content and not commissioned or paid for by NBR.
