This publication brings latest news of moves and hires in the Asia-Pacific wealth management sector.

Australia and New Zealand Banking Group has appointed Tessa Price, a former chief of staff to the bank’s chief executive, as regional executive in charge of the Pacific Islands.

Price is the first woman to lead ANZ’s Pacific businesses, the firm said. She reports to David Hisco, ANZ group executive and ANZ New Zealand CEO. Until the end of last year she was chief of staff to Mike Smith, based in Melbourne. (Smith stepped down late last year and was succeeded by Shayne Elliott.) Prior to this, Price was CEO of ANZ Bank's New Zealand subsidiary, UDC Finance, based in Auckland, for more than three years.

Each of the Pacific country heads will report to Price.

“Simplification is a strong part of ANZ Pacific’s business strategy and at UDC Finance Tessa successfully drove a simplification agenda. Her experiences will be useful as we look to remove duplication and streamline processes for our Pacific customers and customer facing staff,” Hisco said.

Price has also previously held roles with the Commonwealth Bank of Australia, Saatchi & Saatchi, AMEX and Esanda. 

This publication is in contact with ANZ for more details, including whether this is a newly-created role.

The changes are subject to regulatory approvals.