ANZ today announced Lachlan Halstead has been appointed Country Head, Papua New Guinea (PNG), reporting to Tammy Medard, Managing Director Institutional Australia and PNG. The appointment has received PNG regulatory approval.
Mr. Halstead has worked with ANZ for 21 years, most recently in the role of Chief Operating Officer, Institutional Australia, since 2018. Prior to this, he held senior management positions in Singapore, Vietnam and India.
Commenting on the appointment, Ms. Medard said: “ANZ has been in PNG for more than a century, and we continue to see opportunities for growth and investment.
“Born and raised in PNG, Lachlan is well-placed to support our local team and drive opportunities for our customers and the PNG economy. His proven track record of leadership across the Asia Pacific will contribute to advancing trade and capital flows with PNG and the region.”
Mr. Halstead will relocate from Melbourne to Port Moresby in early 2023. He has a strong personal connection to PNG, having spent part of his childhood in Port Moresby and Madang. Lachlan succeeds Mark Baker who retires after ten years in the role.
ANZ established operations in PNG in 1910 and has dedicated corporate centres in Port Moresby, Lae and Goroka.
ANZ PNG offers a full range of services for Institutional and Corporate customers across transaction banking, markets, loans and specialized finance. ANZ locally has a particular focus on resources, energy, infrastructure, food, beverage, agriculture and diversified industries.
In addition to supporting Institutional and Corporate customers, ANZ delivers its flagship financial literacy program MoneyMinded across PNG communities to increase the financial inclusion and capabilities of Papua New Guineans.