NZ bank announces new chief executive

He is "an experienced senior leader with a track record of empowering dedicated and skilled people"

NZ bank announces new chief executive

The Co-operative Bank has announced the appointment of Mark Wilkshire as its new chief executive, effective 25 January 2022.

Wilkshire comes from a strong retail banking and insurance background, and has spent his career in a range of roles across lending, consumer finance and regional management.

He is currently the executive general manager of customer, brand and distribution at Suncorp Group, and had previously spent eight years at Kiwibank as head of its product and marketing group, and as CEO of Kiwi Insurance.

Commenting on the appointment, The Co-operative Bank said: “Wilkshire is an experienced senior leader, with a track record of empowering dedicated and skilled people to work together to achieve an organisation’s goals.”

The current interim chief executive Bevan Miller will continue in the role until Wilkshire joins the bank in January.

On accepting the appointment, Wilkshire said: “The Co-operative Bank is unique in New Zealand, as the only bank to share its profits with its customers. I am excited by the opportunity to support and grow the customer base and help ensure a competitive banking market in New Zealand.”