ANZ New Zealand CEO Antonia Watson to retire

The news: ANZ New Zealand (NZ) chief executive and group executive Antonia Watson has announced her retirement, effective at the end of FY26.

The context: Watson has been with ANZ NZ since 2009 and has served as its CEO and group executive since 2019. She is scheduled to officially retire on 30 September.

ANZ NZ chief risk officer Ben Kelleher will succeed her in the role, having served as the bank’s head of risk for more than two years following a five-year term as managing director of personal banking.

Kelleher brings years of experience across strategy, analytics and project management roles in New Zealand and the UK.