ANZ New Zealand chief executive Antonia Watson is set to step down in September, marking a leadership change at the helm of the country’s largest bank.
Watson will finish in the role on September 30, aligning with the end of FY26.
ANZ NZ leadership team member Ben Kelleher is set to take over.
Watson noted that seven years is a long tenure for a chief executive of a major company. She took on the role of ANZ New Zealand chief executive and group executive in 2019, succeeding David Hisco.
“I’ve loved every moment of my time at ANZ. I’ve had the privilege of working with some incredibly smart, hard-working and clever colleagues and customers, which has made navigating the difficult times like Covid all the more rewarding,” she said.
Watson described her time in the role as deeply rewarding, saying it had been a “joy” to visit farms, factory floors, boardrooms and homes across New Zealand and the Pacific. She said those interactions with customers had shaped her understanding of banking and the real economy and taught her a great deal during her tenure.
Watson said she never set out with the ambition of becoming a chief executive, adding that she considered herself fortunate to have had the opportunity to lead ANZ New Zealand.
She said she has no immediate plans after stepping down, but after an extended period of travel, she is looking forward to exploring new professional and personal challenges.
Meanwhile, Kelleher had served as ANZ New Zealand’s chief risk officer for more than two years. His appointment is still subject to a Reserve Bank of New Zealand non-objection and other regulatory engagement requirements.