Bank of New Zealand (BNZ) has announced 17 new Heads of Region roles to support communities around the country and
strengthen its regional presence.
The 17 new heads are bankers with decades of experience. 14 were appointed internally with three external candidates
successful in gaining leadership roles.
BNZ Chief Customer Officer, Paul Carter, says, “It’s a challenging time to take the reins, but banking doesn’t stop.
We’re an essential service and it has never been more important to be close to our communities and support our customers
in need.
“Right now our 17 regional heads will be focused on making sure we are doing everything we can to support our customers
through the impacts of COVID-19. Beyond that, they will strengthen BNZ’s regional presence and build closer
relationships with the communities we serve,” he says.
Carter says the Head of Regions will be responsible for BNZ consumer and business banking teams across their region and
ensure customers are well supported and receive a seamless customer experience across all BNZ channels.
Carter says the announcement brings to an end an exhaustive nationwide search although the bank considered delaying the
announcement due to COVID-19.
He says, “We considered putting the appointments on hold until after level 4 and level 3 were over, but we spoke to our
new Heads of Region and they wanted to get cracking.
“Most of our Heads of Region are already known in their area and right in the thick of it, supporting our customers
through this. They wanted the appointments made so they can focus on ensuring our teams are getting help to those
customers who need it most,” he says.
Carter said BNZers across the country are working at a furious pace to deliver support measures to customers and the new
Heads of Region will see the bank and its people at our best.
“Our new Heads of Region are taking these positions at a time when BNZ is working hard to support hundreds of thousands
of customers who are facing uncertain times.
“They are leading teams who are working hard to support our customers and helping make sure the communities we serve can
emerge from COVID-19 in a good position,” says Carter.
The new regions and their heads are:BNZ Regional HeadsRegionAlistair MillerNorthlandJane BriceAuckland CountiesJo DurcanAuckland EastBrandon JacksonAuckland CentralLisa McShaneAuckland WestJason LewthwaiteAuckland North HarbourGraeme GeurtsWaikatoLachie McKenzieBay of PlentyIlesha SchiphorstCentral PlateauTony DouglasEast CoastChristine JonesManawatu/WairarapaMarcus McLeodTaranaki/WhanganuiGary WardWellingtonKatia AddisonChch CentralAlina BarotaCanterbury Regions and West CoastJason ForbesOtago/SouthlandJenna BroadhurstTop of the South Island