Major changes appear to be afoot at Westpac NZ.
When ComputerworldNZ inquired last week about rumours of top-level departures over a project blowout, the bank responded by saying it had abolished the role of the chief operating officer, held by Jim Stabbic.
The bank was creating a new executive level role of chief information officer. Stabbic would stay for a period to assist the transition while the bank conducted an executive search for a permanent CIO.
It transpires that the current CIO, Peter Fletcher, has also departed and an interim CIO appointed.
“Peter Fletcher’s role has been disestablished and he has left the business,” the bank spokesman said. “There is nothing more we can add as we don’t publicly discuss personnell employment matters.”
He earlier said that as customers continued to move to digital channels, “Westpac is increasing the focus on its technology offering as it wants to be the leading bank in providing digital solutions for its customers.
“This is a key priority and the reason why a new executive level role of chief information officer has been created.”