Simon Birmingham appointed Head of Asia Pacific Engagement and Chairman, South Australia

ANZ today announced that The Hon Simon Birmingham has been appointed as Head of Asia Pacific Engagement and Chairman, South Australia, reporting to Group Executive, Institutional, Mark Whelan, and working closely with Chief Executive Officer, Shayne Elliott.

As Head of Asia Pacific Engagement, Mr Birmingham will be responsible for expanding and strengthening ANZ’s trade relationships and capital flows, working with customers, governments and investors across the Asia Pacific. In his role as Chairman, South Australia, Mr Birmingham will also drive ANZ’s growth agenda across the bank’s Institutional, Commercial and Retail businesses in South Australia.

Commenting on the appointment, Mr Elliott said: “Simon Birmingham has had a distinguished career as a Senator for South Australia and Australian Cabinet Minister, including as Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment, and Minister for Finance. His significant experience and knowledge of trade, investment and the economies and governments of the Asia Pacific, will help ANZ and our customers to create opportunities across the region.

“Since opening our first South Australian branch in Glenelg in 1837, ANZ and our customers have played a significant role in the state’s economy. Mr Birmingham’s knowledge of and commitment to his home state will allow us to deepen our support for our South Australian customers and the state’s economy. His understanding of many of the state’s key industries - such as agriculture, tourism, defence, and education - will help drive opportunities for our South Australian customers, including those exporting to the world.

“As Australia’s leading international bank, our business is focused on supporting the trade and capital flows of our customers across the Asia Pacific and beyond. With Mr Birmingham’s appointment, we look forward to helping our customers to access new markets, or expand and deepen their existing relationships, across the 29 economies in which we operate,” Mr Elliott said.

Commenting on his appointment, Mr Birmingham said: “ANZ has long played a strong role in promoting trade and capital flows throughout the Asia Pacific, facilitating the growth of Australian companies overseas and investment flows into Australia. I look forward to working closely with ANZ’s customers and the bank’s leadership, both at home and across the Asia Pacific region.

“South Australia’s economy increasingly demonstrates confidence and momentum. I welcome the opportunity to work with my future ANZ colleagues to further support the growth opportunities with local SA businesses and the South Australian Government.”

Mr Birmingham has served as a Senator for South Australia since May 2007 and was a Minister for close to a decade, including membership of Cabinet’s Expenditure Review Committee and National Security Committee. As Trade Minister Mr Birmingham helped to negotiate the world’s largest trade pact encompassing ASEAN and other major regional economies, along with bilateral agreements for Australia with economies such as Indonesia, Singapore and Hong Kong. As Finance Minister he began Australia’s post-Covid budget repair and was involved in significant decisions such as the AUKUS partnership. Since June 2022 he has served as Shadow Minister for Foreign Affairs.

Prior to his Parliamentary career, Mr Birmingham worked closely with key economic sectors, including in the wine, tourism and hospitality sectors. He holds a Masters of Business Administration from the University of Adelaide.

Mr Birmingham will join ANZ in February 2025 following his resignation from the Senate. He will be based in Adelaide, South Australia.

Download PDF