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ASB announces Vittoria Shortt as new Chief Executive

ASB Chairman Gavin Walker today announced the appointment of Vittoria Shortt as Chief Executive of ASB.

Ms Shortt will succeed retiring CEO Barbara Chapman and will commence her new role at ASB in early February 2018.

A native New Zealander, Ms Shortt joined ASB's parent company, the Commonwealth Bank of Australia (CBA) in 2002 and brings to ASB a broad range of experience, gained through a number of senior executive positions at CBA across retail, operations, strategy and marketing.

Ms Shortt's most recent role was Group Executive, Marketing & Strategy, which reported directly to CBA's Chief Executive Ian Narev, with responsibility for CBA's corporate strategy, advanced analytics, brand and marketing, core customer data, customer advocacy and mergers and acquisitions functions.

During the course of her career with CBA, Ms Shortt also held, at various times, the roles of Chief Marketing Officer, Chief Executive Retail for BankWest, and Executive General Manager Direct Channels and Operations Retail.

After graduating from Waikato University, Ms Shortt began her career in New Zealand, working in roles for Deloitte and Carter Holt Harvey.

Mr Walker said: "The Board conducted an extensive search to identify the person most capable of leading ASB and building on the considerable momentum we have achieved under Barbara’s leadership over the past seven years.

"Vittoria is an accomplished, values-driven leader with an outstanding record of profitably growing businesses, delivering innovative solutions and managing complex business units.

"As a New Zealander, she has a great understanding of ASB's unique heritage and culture and there is no doubt that she will be approaching her new role with the necessary drive and passion to continue building the bank for the next generation."

Ms Shortt said: "As one of New Zealand’s oldest and most respected financial institutions, ASB’s brand, culture and team are unmatched in the market.

"With a highly talented and diverse team of people, and a culture that combines performance excellence with a robust set of shared values, ASB is well positioned to build on its impressive growth story.

"I am very excited to be returning home with my family and to be leading ASB as it continues to transform, innovate and accelerate the pace of change across the business.

"I also wish to extend my personal thanks to Barbara for all she has achieved during her tenure. Without her leadership, ASB would not be so strongly positioned to address the challenges and opportunities ahead of us."  

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