One takes on a new role, another joins the bank
A longstanding economics leader at Westpac has been appointed to a new advisory role, while another industry stalwart from Reserve Bank will join the banking giant’s economics team.
Bill Evans (pictured above left), who has been group chief economist at Westpac since 1991, will take on a new role as senior economic advisor, effective January 2024.
In a statement, Westpac said Evans is one of the nation’s preeminent economic analysts and forecasters who has led the bank’s economic research and provided valuable insights to Westpac and the broader Australian public.
Evans “has built a legacy of trust and a record of service that is unmatched,” Westpac CEO Peter King said. “His generosity and ability to explain the economy in clear and simple terms has meant that Australians from all walks of life have benefited from his considerable knowledge and insight.
“Bill joined Westpac in the midst of the 1991 recession and since then has been a trusted voice in Australia through every economic cycle. I’m pleased the bank and our customers will continue to have the benefit of Bill’s extensive experience and knowledge in his new advisory capacity.”
Prior to Westpac, Evans, a graduate of Sydney University and the London School of Economics, worked as research manager for the RBA and as treasurer at the Commonwealth Bank.
Another respected economist will join Westpac on Oct. 9.
Luci Ellis (pictured above right), current assistant governor (economic) at the RBA, will replace Evans as chief economist at Westpac.
Ellis has held her current role since 2016, and before that was head of the central bank’s financial stability department for eight years. She also served as deputy head of the economic analysis department and spent nearly two years on secondment at the Bank for International Settlements.
Ellis holds a PhD from the University of New South Wales, a masters degree in economics from the Australian National University, and a first-class bachelor of commerce (honours) degree from the University of Melbourne.
“We are delighted to welcome Luci to Australia’s oldest bank,” King said. Ellis “is a highly qualified and respected economist who will build on Bill’s legacy of providing quality economic forecasts for Westpac customers.”
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