Australia and New Zealand Bank, one of Australia's Big Four banks, has announced changes to its global wealth leadership team.

Australia and New Zealand Bank, one of Australia's big four banks, has announced changes to its global wealth leadership team.

Effective 2 December 2013, Alexis George becomes managing director of insurance, joining from ING Asia-Pacific where she was the regional chief operating officer based in Hong Kong. Prior to that, George was chief executive for the Czech and Slovak Republics of ING Insurance and had also held senior roles at BNP Paribas, AMP and BT Financial.

Also stepping in, but whose appointment is effective immediately, is Neil Younger as general manager for advice and open market channels. Younger joined ANZ in December 2011 as head of practice-based financial planning. Earlier, he held senior executive positions in the wealth management businesses of Commonwealth Bank of Australia and BT. 

As a result of these changes, Paul Barrett, managing director for advice and distribution, will be leaving the company to "pursue the next stage of his career".  ANZ did not specify to where he is moving or what his plans are. His last day at the firm will be 16 September. 

The announcement came just shortly after Kerri Thompson was hired for the newly-created role of managing director for bancassurance and customer experience at ANZ Wealth.