Bank South Pacific has reached new heights in its management – a 100% Papua New Guinean team now leads its Retail Strategic Business Unit.
Daniel Faunt today (Wednesday 2nd December 2020,) takes on the helm of the bank’s biggest unit – Retail, as it’s Group General Manager following 40-year banking veteran Paul Thornton’s retirement.
“I am delighted to commence as Group General Manager Retail today following Mr Thornton’s retirement.”
“I thank Mr Thornton for leaving a fantastic legacy and am proud of the fact that with my appointment, for the first time in BSP’s history, the entire BSP Retail Team are now a 100% Papua New Guinea national team. I am honored to be able to lead my fellow country men and women in delivering services to our country and to our people.”
Adding to BSP Group CEO Robin Fleming’s announcement on the recent appointment of Peter Komon, another young Papua New Guinean, to the role of Deputy General Manager – Retail Sales and Customer Service, Mr Faunt said that Komon’s appointment reinforces BSP’s commitment to the development and promotion of Papua New Guineans in BSP.
“Peter brings strong experience, knowledge and energy to our Senior Management team and will do a fantastic job, “said Faunt when congratulating the Western Highlander.
With over 13 years experience in the fields of microfinance and retail banking in PNG, Peter studied Agricultural Economics at the University of Sydney, Australia, before starting his career in 2007 in the banking and financial services sector with PNG Microfinance Ltd.
He joined BSP in 2012 as Deputy Head of BSP Rural Banking before appointed as Head of BSP Rural in 2014, a role that saw him travel extensively throughout the country, especially to remote communities, establishing over 30 BSP Sub Branches and BSP Cash Agents between 2012 and 2014. Since then, Peter has held various management roles with BSP Retail, including a stint as Branch Manager of BSP Haus Branch, from 2016 to 2017.
He was the Head of the Retail Procedures & Quota Business Unit prior to his elevation to Deputy General Manager – Retail Sales and Customer Service.
Peter moves into the role that was occupied by Kili Tambua, who was promoted to General Manager Offshore Branches, looking after the operations of BSP in Fiji, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, Cook Islands, Tonga and Samoa.
He joins Faunt and another Papua New Guinean Dennis Konu who was recently appointed as well to the role of Deputy General Manager Customer Experience and Support. Konu was a senior participant of BSP’s Leadership Management Development Program.
Konu joined BSP in 1996 as a Branch Officer and has progressed in many roles throughout his 24 years’ experience in retail banking.