(5 May 2009 – Australia) Brian Hartzer has decided to call it quits and leave his role as CEO of Australia for ANZ to pursue an international banking career.ANZ subsequently announced the appointment of Graham Hodges as Acting Chief Executive Officer Australia following the decision by Hartzer to leave the bank.
Hodges recently commenced the role of Deputy Chief Executive Officer based in Melbourne having formerly been Managing Director, ANZ National Bank in New Zealand.
Hodges will act in the role until a replacement for Hartzer is identified, though Hodges is widely tipped to take on the role permanently.
The decision by Hartzer to leave the bank has come soon after the departures of former deputy chief executive officer Bob Edgar and the managing director of strategy and marketing, Margaret Payn.
Flowing into ANZ’s executive team, however, have been chief risk officer Chris Page and human resources director Susie Babani from HSBC. Smith has also hired new institutional division boss Shayne Elliott from Citigroup.
Hodges’ appointment is effective immediately.