Dr Kathryn van der Merwe, ANZ group executive talent and culture and service centres, will leave ANZ at the end of May to take on an opportunity at Telstra.
Dr van der Merwe has served as group executive talent and culture at ANZ since 1 May 2017, before taking on responsibility for ANZ’s service centres in Bengaluru, Manila, and Chengdu in April 2021.
ANZ said that during her six years at ANZ, Dr van der Merwe introduced a new remuneration and reward structure and played a pivotal role in ANZ’s COVID-19 response.
ANZ chief executive Shayne Elliott said: “Kath has played an important role in the bank we’re building by strengthening our overall employee experience.
“She has helped create a solid foundation for our culture and values as well as new ways of leading and can be proud of her significant achievements over the past six years at ANZ. I wish her all the best for the future.
“We have a strong talent and culture team in place and are prepared with a solid succession plan to ensure a smooth transition.”
Dr van der Merwe said: “I have thoroughly enjoyed my time at ANZ and am incredibly proud of my team and how we’ve worked together to deliver what matters for our people, customers, shareholders, and the community.”
ANZ said it would search for both internal and external candidates to replace Dr van der Merwe. Effective 1 June 2023, Richard Howell, tribe lead, transforming talent and culture, will take on the role of acting group executive talent and culture, and Sreeram Iyer, chief operating officer, institutional, will take over responsibility for ANZ’s service centres in an acting capacity.
In February, ANZ added Graham Hodges, who retired from the company in 2018 after 27 years, to its board as a non-executive director.
