New chair to take the reins next month
The ANZ Group chairman, Paul O’Sullivan, has announced a major change in leadership.
John Key (pictured above left) is set to retire from all positions on the ANZ boards effective March 14. Taking over the reins, Scott St John (pictured above right) has been appointed as the chair of ANZ Bank New Zealand (ANZ New Zealand), with his new role commencing on the same day.
St John will also join the ANZ Group board on March 25.
Celebrating John Key’s legacy
John Key, New Zealand’s 38th prime minister and a key figure in politics and business, joined the ANZ New Zealand board as chair in January 2018 and the group board shortly after.
Key “has made an enormous contribution to ANZ with his unparalleled international business and political experience playing a critical role in our ongoing success,” O’Sullivan said. “As a board, we will miss his wise counsel, global insights and good humour and we wish him and his family the very best for the future.”
“While it’s the right time for me to step back on my commitments, I know ANZ is in a strong position and that Scott St John will be an outstanding chair of ANZ New Zealand and director of ANZ Group,” Key said.
Introducing Scott St John
St John, with his profound expertise in financial markets and service on the ANZ New Zealand board since 2021, has been chosen as Key’s successor.
St John’s “deep business experience, particularly in financial markets, makes him an ideal replacement for Sir John as Chair of ANZ New Zealand,” O’Sullivan said. “He has served admirably on the ANZ New Zealand board since 2021 and we look forward to welcoming him to the group board next month.”
St John’s experience includes leadership roles at First NZ Capital (currently known as Jarden), Mercury NZ, and Fisher and Paykel Healthcare. He also served on the boards of Fonterra and the NEXT Foundation. His tenure as chancellor of the University of Auckland spanned from 2017 to June 2021, complemented by his membership on the University Council since 2009.
St John has also participated in the Capital Markets Development Taskforce and the Financial Markets Authority establishment board, alongside chairing the Security Industry Association.
“It’s a privilege to succeed Sir John as chair of ANZ New Zealand and I’m looking forward to also contributing to the group board as we continue efforts to make ANZ better for our customers and the community,” St John said.
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