ANZ Chief Risk Officer Nigel Williams to retire in 2018

ANZ today announced that its Chief Risk Officer, Nigel Williams, will retire at the end of March 2018 after a distinguished 33-year career in banking.

Mr Williams joined ANZ following the 2004 acquisition of The National Bank of New Zealand. At ANZ he has held a number of leadership roles including Managing Director Institutional, Corporate and Commercial Banking in New Zealand, and Managing Director, Institutional Australia. Since 2011, Mr Williams has been ANZ’s Chief Risk Officer and a member of the Group Executive Committee.

Mr Williams has also been a Director of ANZ Bank New Zealand Limited and Shanghai Rural Commercial Bank. He’s also been a passionate supporter of diversity at ANZ where he has been a champion for gender balance and Executive Sponsor of ANZ’s Pride Network.

Commenting on Mr Williams’ retirement, Chief Executive Officer Shayne Elliott said: “Over the past six years, Nigel has led the transformation of the Risk function with a focus on data analytics, automated decision making and cyber security. He has also played a leading role in the resolution of a number of business and regulatory issues, and in significantly improving ANZ’s risk profile.

“After 33 years in banking, Nigel’s intention is to pursue a career as a non-executive director. This is a natural next step given his banking and data experience, and background on a number of boards at ANZ and externally including NZX Limited and the New Zealand Government’s Taskforce on Capital Markets Development.

“He can be proud of many achievements in his time at ANZ and we wish him every success with his future career,” he said.

ANZ expects to announce a successor to Mr Williams early in 2018.

Mr Elliott added: “There is an opportunity with this appointment to build on Nigel’s legacy by expanding the contribution which Risk leadership can make to our transformation. This includes further strengthening ANZ’s open and inclusive culture, and continuing to build strong, mutually respectful relationships with our regulators.”