Antonia Watson

I am a leader and CEO in the banking industry, with over 30 years’ experience in financial and professional services across four countries. Currently I am CEO of ANZ New Zealand, the country’s largest bank, helping create a sustainable, inclusive environment where customers, employees and communities thrive. I am also ANZ Group Executive NZ and the Pacific, helping lead banking and financial services across eight countries, supporting customers to access finance, expertise and global networks. Prior to my current role, I was Managing Director, Retail and Business Banking, responsible for a network of retail branches, contact centres and banking specialists taking care of two million consumer and small business customers – and before that Chief Financial Officer. I joined ANZ from Morgan Stanley where I was Executive Director and General Manager of Business Services and Technology Centre in Budapest and held other senior finance roles in Sydney and London. My career started with a Chartered Accountancy qualification at KPMG in Auckland. There are many things I am passionate about: enhancing financial wellbeing, inclusion in the workplace, helping build a sustainable planet – and I want to ensure that ANZ through its work, employee commitment and community activities continues to make a major and significant contribution. I have a BCom (Hons) from the University of Otago, am married with no kids, and enjoy travel and good food, preferably accompanied by a nice red wine.