Media releases

New Managing Director appointed for BankSA

 

7 September 2010

The Westpac Group CEO, Gail Kelly today announced the appointment of Jane Kittel as the new Managing Director of BankSA.

Ms Kittel has extensive experience across a broad range of areas in financial services and banking. She has been employed by The Westpac Group for 15 years and for the past four-and-a-half years has been General Manager of Westpac’s Pacific Banking operations.

In that role she has led a team of 1,200 staff across seven different countries in the Pacific region comprising Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Tonga, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu and the Cook Islands. The Pacific Banking division in the 2009 financial year produced cash earnings of $102 million, up 10 per cent.

Mrs Kelly said: “Jane is one of our most experienced general managers and has successfully managed our banks in the Pacific through the volatile period of the last few years. I am confident that BankSA under her leadership will continue to build on its outstanding position in the South Australian market.”

Ms Kittel will assume the role of Managing Director of BankSA on October 1, 2010, taking over from Rob Chapman who will become the chief executive of St.George.

Mr Chapman, who has been Managing Director of BankSA since 2002, said Jane had the perfect blend of banking acumen and leadership skills to take the helm of SA’s largest financial institution.

“Jane has been an excellent performer in the tough job of running The Westpac Group’s Pacific Banking operations and is also a born and bred South Australian who has a deep understanding of the local market and the power of the BankSA brand,’’ he said.

Ms Kittel said it was a huge privilege to be entrusted with the position of Managing Director of BankSA and she looked forward to returning to her home State to take up the challenge.

“I grew up in South Australia and I’m absolutely delighted to have the opportunity and responsibility of running such an icon in the State,’’ she said.

Prior to her position with Pacific Banking, Ms Kittel was the General Manager for Sourcing, Channel Infrastructure and Head of Corporate Services at The Westpac Group.