Rabobank boosts regional leadership team

Rabobank boosts regional leadership team

Rabobank New Zealand has announced the appointment of two senior bankers to regional management positions – Bruce Weir and David Clarke – who take on roles in Northern North Island and Northern South Island, respectively.

Mr Weir has been appointed to the position of Rabobank regional manager Northern North Island, following the retirement of Paul Rogers. Mr Clarke moves into the role of regional manager Northern South Island, replacing Don Kennedy, who has taken on another senior position with the bank.

Rabobank CEO New Zealand Ben Russell said he was pleased to announce the two new regional manager appointments, following regulatory approval from the Reserve Bank of New Zealand.

“Both Bruce and David are proven leaders and high performers within Rabobank and I have no doubt they will continue to play important role in supporting clients and developing the business in the areas in which they operate,” Mr Russell said.

Bruce Weir has been branch manager in the bank’s Rotorua office since he joined Rabobank in October 2010.

During this time the Rotorua team has grown and has developed to become one of the leading branches for Rabobank in New Zealand.

The Northern North Island region includes Rabobank’s branches in Whangarei, Pukekohe, Thames, Te Puke, Whakatane and Rotorua.

“Prior to joining Rabobank Bruce enjoyed a successful banking career in central North Island and has been in agri-banking for more than a dozen years,” Mr Russell said.

“Raised on a dry stock farm in Northern Hawkes Bay, Bruce has an agricultural background and truly understands the industry and the needs of farmers.”

Mr Weir said his vision as regional manager was to continue to develop Rabobank’s business at a sustainable level, working with highly engaged staff who are “banking for the right reasons”.

“We’ve got a highly experienced and capable team in this area which certainly makes me inspired to lead them and support our clients for the long-term,” Mr Weir said.

Mr Weir said another key factor that sets Rabobank apart is its cooperative structure.

“At Rabobank, we don’t have shareholders – so we’re banking for customer satisfaction, not shareholder satisfaction – everything we do is for our clients,” he said.

“We take a long-term view and understand the up-and-down cycles of agriculture.”Media Release July 1, 2013 2

David Clarke has been with Rabobank since March 2009 when he took the role as branch manager in Invercargill. Under his leadership, the Invercargill team has grown, as the bank has expanded its business in the local agricultural area.

Prior to joining Rabobank, Mr Clarke had more than 15 years’ experience in banking.

In his new role, he is to be based in Rabobank’s Christchurch branch. The Northern South Island region covers the Rabobank branches in Nelson, Blenheim, Christchurch, Ashburton and Timaru.

Mr Clarke said he is passionate about agricultural banking and is looking forward to supporting Rabobank’s clients in the region.

“I want to support our clients to continue to be successful and grow in their market,” Mr Clarke said.

“We have an experienced and stable team across the Northern South Island and I am looking forward to learning about the region, with the support of a high calibre team.”

Raised in northern Southland on a family sheep and cropping farm, Mr Clarke has a strong affinity with agriculture and the people in the industry.

“I still have an interest in some dairy farms – my wife and I are shareholders in three dairy farms in Southland,” he said.

“Because of my background and farming partnerships today, I know and understand what clients are going through, and I have also developed a good understanding of what kind of ownerships structures and options are available too.”

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