The appointee is an ‘outstanding’ applicant for the role, says board chair
ANZ has appointed Antonia Watson as its Chief Executive Officer and director of its New Zealand operations.
Watson is ANZ’s former managing director retail and business banking, and has been the acting CEO since the departure of David Hisco in June. She has received a non-objection from the Reserve Bank of New Zealand and will sit on ANZ Banking Group’s executive committee, and she will also have responsibilities for the Pacific region.
ANZ New Zealand chair Sir John Key said that Watson was an ‘outstanding’ applicant for the role, and is the right person to lead ANZ through the many challenges it is currently facing.
“Antonia is a warm, empathetic and inclusive leader who is also methodical in her thinking and forensic in her analysis,” Key said.
“Most importantly she is authentic – what you see is her and she’ll be upfront and honest with you. The Board is confident Antonia has all the skills to help ANZ NZ navigate this new environment and ensure the bank flourishes.”
Key says some of the biggest challenges for ANZ in the coming years will be the significantly increased capital levels mandated by the Reserve Bank, an increase in regulatory oversight, and higher customer and public expectations of financial institutions. He also expects new lenders entering the market to toughen competition.
Watson is the first New Zealand woman to be at the helm of ANZ. She joined ANZ in 2009 as a financial controller, before being appointed chief financial officer in 2012. She became managing director retail and business banking in 2017.
The search for a new managing director retail and business banking is underway, with Ben Kelleher acting in the role for the meantime.
