The chief executive officer of Bank South Pacific Group, Robin Fleming, yesterday announced the appointment of Haroon Ali as the new ‘Country Head – Fiji’ to succeed Kevin McCarthy, who is retiring at the end of 2018.

Bank South Pacific Group chief executive officer Robin Flemming

Outgoing Bank South Pacific Country head – Fiji, Kevin McCarthy

Mr Ali, who will be the first Fijian to head the Bank’s business in Fiji, has held the position of Group chief risk officer since July 2013, based in Papua New Guinea.

Newly appointed Bank South Pacific Country head – Fiji, Haroon Ali

About Mr Ali

Mr Ali is a highly skilled senior banker with 38 years of diverse experience in Fiji, Australia and PNG.

Prior to joining BSP as the bank’s chief risk officer in Fiji, Mr Ali worked for the ANZ Group for more than 30 years.

He has extensive experience in risk management, corporate, commercial and small and medium enterprises banking, support operations, trade finance and retail banking.

He holds a Master of Management in Strategic Management from the Southern Cross University in Sydney.

He is a “Fellow” of the Financial Institute of Australasia and holds an Honorary Fellowship from the Fiji Institute of Bankers.

He is married to Halima Ali and has children, son Zibraan, daughter Zeenuba and daughter-in-law Nishrat.

“As a village boy from Vunimoli in Labasa, my dream has always been to become the bank’s country head in Fiji,” Mr Ali said.

“I have worked hard over the years since joining Bank of New Zealand in 1980 and today I am really excited to have finally realised that dream.

“I am very passionate about this job and would like to thank the group Chairman, group CEO and the Board for giving me this great opportunity to lead BSP in Fiji.

“I would also like to thank Mr McCarthy firstly for recruiting me to this great organisation and secondly for his outstanding leadership at BSP that has seen the Bank grow from strength to strength.”

The transition of leadership of BSP’s business in Fiji from Mr McCarthy to Mr Ali will commence on June 1, 2018.

Mr McCarthy will retire at the end of 2018.

Mr Fleming thanked Mr McCarthy for his contribution to BSP and expressed confidence in Mr Ali’s abilities to continue the growth trajectory of the bank in Fiji.

He assured staff and customers of a smooth transition process.

Mr McCarthy congratulated Mr Ali on his appointment.

He said: “I have been tremendously satisfied with the performance of BSP in Fiji since our acquisition of the Colonial Fiji Group in December, 2009.

“I credit this performance to my Executive Management Team and our dedicated Mangers and staff who have worked cohesively to produce both growth and financial performance over the last 8 years.

“I also wish to thank our customers who have supported BSP and grown with us.”
Source: Bank South Pacific

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