ANZ's new national partnership manager for retail broker, Karen Brown, embraces every chance of a challenge
ANZ's new national partnership manager for retail broker, Karen Brown, embraces every chance of a challenge
2002 - LAWYER BEGINNINGS
Karen Brown established a strong foundation for her career when she completed her articles at law firm Clayton Utz. “I certainly did not expect when I started a career in law that I would end up as the national partnerships manager for retail broker. At that stage I don’t think I had any idea what the third party broker channel was!"
2006 - OVERSEAS CALLING
Accepting a position at magic circle firm Allen & Overy saw Brown move to London for a few years. “Pre-GFC it was a case of sink or swim. It was a great time professionally and personally. I made some lifelong friends, and it still remains one the best times of my life”
2009 - BACK TO AUSTRALIA
Having decided to return to Australia, Brown rejoined Clayton Utz before moving to ANZ. “In 2010, I made a step change in my career, deciding to move to join ANZ – who at the time were a client of mine – in the bank’s loan, structuring and execution team. I had worked with this team and was keen to further explore the commercial aspect of transactions."
2011 - NEW CHALLENGE
Feeling it was time for a new challenge, Brown took the opportunity to shift into ANZ’s utilities and infrastructure team. “ANZ is known for being supportive of different career paths. I was part of a customer-facing team, with responsibility for assessing and analysing businesses and preparing credit submissions."
2014 - RELATIONSHIP MANAGEMENT
“It was always my desire to move into a relationship management role, as I enjoy working with people and being the first point of contact for customers”
2017 - BROKER CHANNEL
Joining ANZ’s retail broker team as national partnerships manager has been the latest step in Brown’s career.
“I was particularly drawn to the professionalism and customer-centric mindset of the ANZ team, and as I began my role I discovered the passion and energy that defines the broker industry through my interactions with brokers and aggregators. I am excited to be able to make in a difference in what is an important customer service channel for the community, and also a key segment for ANZ.”
