JAMIE Ogilvie has quit as the WA head the Australian Securities and Investments Commission, deciding not to seek the renewal of his contract as he looks for a role outside the corporate regulator.
ASIC’s WA counsel Michael Gething will take the reins as acting regional commissioner for at least the next six months. Mr Ogilvie has headed the watchdog’s WA operations for the past four years but was in Melbourne and unavailable for comment when Business News sought to find out his next move.
“He wants to go to different pastures and different things,” Mr Gething said.
The new acting WA chief officially takes over in the New Year and is hoping to find out more about what the position has in store for him during the next fortnight. ASIC has a new chairman in David Knott who replaced long-serving Alan Cameron on Friday.
Mr Knott presided over his first meeting of regional commissioners in Melbourne yesterday and staff expect the forum to shape ASIC’s direction under its new leadership.
“We have to get a bead on where he wants to take the commission,” Mr Gething said.
Mr Gething would not speculate on whether he was Mr Ogilvie’s annointed successor.
He said the commission may advertise the position but could only make a permanent appointment after consulting the WA Government.
Relationships between ASIC and the Court Government have soured in the wake of recriminations over who was to blame for the finance brokers scandal.
