news ANZ has announced changes to the way it will operate its technology, operations and shared services as the bank’s Group Chief Operating Officer prepares to make a planned move away from the company.
In a statement, the bank said the changes are aimed to speed up delivery of its technology and digital roadmap, bring operations closer to its customer businesses and boost efficiency.
ANZ Group’s COO, Alistair Currie, will step down from ANZ later this year to continue his international banking career outside the group.
Among the changes planned for the bank’s technology, operations and shared services in the coming months, ANZ CIO Scott Collary will report to Currie until the technology reporting line shifts to CEO Shayne Elliott later this year.
The move reinforces the technology division’s “strategic role” alongside digital banking, the bank said.
Additionally, divisional Chief Operating Officers will report directly into the Australia, New Zealand, Institutional and Wealth businesses, which ANZ said will provide greater end-to-end control of customer processes, as well as driving productivity gains.
Deputy CEO Graham Hodges is also to assume responsibility for Group Hubs, Enterprise Services and Group Property. While Craig Sims has been appointed to a new role as Group General Manager Operations and Services reporting to Hodges.
Sims will have responsibility for Group Hubs and Enterprise Services, and will work with Divisional COOs to build on the momentum established in operational efficiency.
In another change, Nigel Dobson, General Manager Transformation Projects, is to take on responsibility for Wholesale Digital Strategy and Payments Transformation, reporting to Maile Carnegie, Group Executive Digital Banking.
“These changes to our operating model better support ANZ’s strategic priorities and allow us to build on the significant progress that has been made in recent years in Technology, Operations and Shared Services,” the bank’s CEO said.
“This progress highlights the importance of Alistair’s contribution to ANZ,” said Elliott.
Joining the group in 2008, Currie led the creation of ANZ’s regional Transaction Banking business, before becoming Group Chief Operating Officer in 2011.
“He has built a strong regional team and an approach to Technology and Operations which has significantly improved service quality for customers as well as delivering consistent productivity gains,” according to Elliott.
During his time with ANZ time, Alistair also played a “key role” in setting the early direction for its digital transformation.