ASB appoints Fairfax NZ MD to senior role
(8 March 2017 – New Zealand) ASB Bank has announced that Fairfax New Zealand’s managing director has been appointed as the new head of its Technology, Innovation and Payments division.
The bank said Simon Tong will take on the new role. He departs the publishers less than a week before the company is due to find out if its merger with NZME gets the green light.
In a statement, ASB said Tong will lead the division "which is responsible for technology performance, payments and the development of innovative solutions, enhancements and transformational projects to ensure ASB remains one step ahead".
ASB chief executive Barbara Chapman said: "As a technologist with a career including more than 18 years of senior management roles in complex, technology-focused organisations, Simon brings a unique combination of skills, industry experience and knowledge to the role.
"He is a strong people leader with a proven track record of managing large and dynamic organisations and I know he will be a very good fit with the ASB culture."
Commenting on the role, Tong said he was "thrilled to be joining the ASB team during such an exciting period of change for the financial services industry".
"I believe that my background provides me with a unique opportunity to contribute to the success of ASB. As a customer, my family and I have been delighted with the experience the bank provides and I look forward to contributing to innovative and superior experiences for our customers."
The news comes ahead of next week's decision from the Commerce Commission on a proposal to merge New Zealand Herald owner NZME and Fairfax New Zealand.
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