ANZ Samoa Country Head Bernie Poort Resigns
ANZ Samoa Country Head Bernie Poort
Photo: Samoa Cancer Society
The bank's corporate offices have announced that ANZ Samoa Country Head Bernie Poort is resigning and that an acting country head for Samoa has been appointed.
As Mr. Poort moves on to the next phase of his career, the ANZ announced in a news release that Ravendran Achari will assume the position of Acting Country Head for ANZ Samoa.
Mr. Poort has held a number of top positions at ANZ in the Pacific, most recently serving as Country Head for ANZ Samoa with responsibility for ANZ Cook Islands and ANZ Tonga.
He has also served as Head of Commercial Banking for ANZ Samoa and Country Head for ANZ Tonga.
As a result of Mr. Poort's excellent connections with regulators during this time, ANZ customers were able to successfully complete COVID-19.
Mr. Poort said it was an honor to work in Samoa at pivotal junctures in its history. He reflected on his stint as Country Head, ANZ Samoa.
It has been a privilege, he continued, to collaborate with customers, community members, and government stakeholders to improve outcomes for the entire nation. I'm honored to have contributed to Samoa's economic recovery, from the measles outbreak to the pandemic.
Mr. Poort received appreciation from Sarah Stubbings, the ANZ Regional Executive for the Pacific, for his support of the bank's operations in the region.
Ms. Stubbings added, "We wish to acknowledge Bernie for his important commitment to our company and to the region.
Samoa is one of our important Pacific markets, and the Pacific region continues to be a significant component of ANZ's global network. Our dedication to our clients, communities, and employees is evident here.
Since 2013 and since 2022, Mr. Achari has served as ANZ's head of strategy and chief financial officer for the Pacific region. He graduated from the Australian Institute of Directors, is a Fellow of CPA Australia, and is a Chartered Member of the Institute of Directors (NZ).
Prior to the announcement by the bank's headquarters, Mr. Poort held the substantive role of ANZ Samoa Country Head in addition to having regional management of ANZ Cook Islands and ANZ Tonga.
He was also heavily involved in community activities and served as Chairman of the Bankers Association at one point. Among them was organizing fundraising events on behalf of ANZ Samoa for the Samoa Cancer Society.