The need for ANZ and its peers to have effective communicators was underscored in May this year when the bank and others crossed swords with Australian policymakers over a proposed new tax on the sector.

Australia and New Zealand Banking group, which over the past 12 months has shed its Asia private banking and retail arms, signalled a move to bolster its image and ability to influence lawmakers by hiring a general manager for communications and public affairs.

Tony Warren, who joins the bank after spending a decade at Telstra, the Australian telecoms firm, where he was most recently group executive for corporate affairs, reports to Shayne Elliott, group chief executive, ANZ said in a statement late last week. 

“ANZ is committed to rebuilding our relationships with government, our customers and the wider community. Tony’s appointment is an important sign we are focused on driving a culture of trust, integrity and character throughout the bank,” Elliott said.

The need for ANZ and its peers to have effective communicators was underscored in May this year when the bank and others crossed swords with Australian policymakers over a new tax on the sector. 

As part of this change, the group general manager corporate affairs, Gerard Brown, and the group general manager for corporate communications, Paul Edwards, will report to Warren. Warren will be based in Canberra, the Australian capital, starting his role on 3 October.