New Zealand Bankers’ Association (NZBA) is pleased to announce that Kirk Hope will step into the role of chief executive of the NZBA at the end of March, taking over from acting chief executive Martin Philipsen.
A Wellington-based banking professional with over a decade of experience in the New Zealand financial services sector, Kirk Hope is a Victoria University Law School alumni and former head of regulatory affairs and government relations at Westpac. He joins NZBA after two years serving as executive director of the Financial Services Federation, an industry advocacy body representing 36 of the largest financiers in New Zealand.
NZBA Council chairman Andrew Thorburn welcomes the appointment of Kirk Hope to this pivotal leadership role within the New Zealand banking industry.
“Kirk has the full spectrum of experience required to manage this portfolio with comprehensive understanding of legal, regulatory and industry processes, hands on experience in banking and at the NZBA, and is well versed in managing multiple stakeholders.”
Hope will take over the helm of the NZBA at the end of March from Martin Philipsen who was appointed acting chief executive in December 2011.