VNPF GM takes up role 10 months after appointment
September 10, 2024 3:40 am | Posted in Business News | Share now TwitterFacebook
By Anita Roberts
Paul Kaun officially began his role as the General Manager (GM) of the Vanuatu National Provident Fund (VNPF) yesterday, 10 months after being appointed and publicly announced by the VNPF Board.
Kaun signed his 4-year contract in November 2023, several months after the former GM Parmod Achary resigned.
The former Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Utilities Regulatory Authority (URA) was supposed to start early this year after completing a task at his previous job but only began yesterday after approval from the current Minister of Finance, Johnny Koanapo.
The new GM explained that the VNPF Board advised him to wait for Fit and Proper Clearance from the Financial Intelligence Unit and the Reserve Bank of Vanuatu (RBV), and also the former Finance Minister had not endorsed him, suggesting the Board should consult him first before making the appointment.
During his contract signing last year, the former VNPF Board Chairman and now Governor of Reserve Bank, August Letlet, said that Kaun’s appointment had been made through a fair and transparent process.
Mr. August advised him to tighten up loopholes in the VNPF Act and to improve the integrity of the institution.
Kaun is not new to VNPF, he was the Manager for Investment for four years since 2011. Prior to that, he served as a Principal Economist and Acting Director of Finance at the Ministry of Finance and Economic Management before becoming an Analyst at RBV.
He held various senior positions at RBV before joining the Governance for Growth Program as an Advisor.
He was also an Advisor at the Global Green Growth Institute for six years before becoming the URA CEO.
Kaun said his focus includes exploring investment opportunities for member returns, strengthening leadership and management, and improving performance and growth.
The Acting GM, Terry Richard Edwin, had been carrying out duties until the new GM took office.
