Customers' success is retiring CEO's proudest achievement

Retiring Westpac New Zealand Chief Executive David McLean says seeing customers succeed is one of the greatest satisfactions in almost seven years leading the bank. 

McLean is retiring on June 25, after 22 years in various roles with the bank. He said it was both the right time for himself personally as well as for the changing banking industry. 

“The industry is going through a period of change and now is an appropriate time for a new leader to take the helm and guide the organisation into the future. 

“One of the things that I have found most satisfying in my time at Westpac is seeing the successful achievements of so many of our customers, and knowing that we have a played a small part in helping them achieve that success. 

“I am also proud, in my time as CEO, of the work we have done championing diversity and inclusion; publishing our gender pay gap; embedding a new focus on culture and conduct; becoming the first New Zealand bank to be Living Wage accredited; and for rallying together to help the economy through the darkest days of the COVID-19 pandemic.   

“Most of all, I will miss working with the wonderful team at Westpac,” he said. 

“But I am looking forward to thinking about the possibilities and challenges ahead. I’ve just finished two weeks touring the country on my Vespa in a charity rally, which gave me plenty of time to reflect and consider what retirement might hold for my family and I,” he said. 

Westpac New Zealand Board Chair Jan Dawson wished David all the best for his retirement.  

“David has made a significant contribution to the organisation, not only in driving business performance, but also in reinforcing the company’s social purpose and taking a leadership position on important issues in the banking industry.” 

Simon Power, Westpac NZ General Manager of Institutional and Business Banking will act as CEO while a global search is undertaken to appoint a successor.