Heritage Bank has appointed current senior executive Kevin Potter to fill the vacancy left by the retirement of long-serving head of retail Paul Francis.
Potter has been Heritage’s chief operating officer since joining the bank in early 2017, after a 25-year career in banking with the Suncorp Group and National Australia Bank. He has now moved into the newly re-named role of chief customer officer, after Francis finished his 28-year career at Heritage last week.
He has now assumed responsibility for the bank’s retail function, including the branch network, mortgage broker distribution team, contact centre and business banking department.
Heritage CEO Peter Lock said Potter brought a wealth of experience in retail banking to the role.
Lock added, “Kevin brings to the role a detailed understanding and commitment to our strategy, the knowledge of Heritage systems and process, the experience and collaboration of being part of our senior leadership group, and importantly, the understanding and belief in the power of our brand, our culture and our people.
“He is passionate about our business and has the drive to make Heritage an even better place for our customers to bank. Kevin is a great choice to follow on and build from Paul’s foundations.”
Lock said the change of title to chief customer officer reflected the importance Heritage places on its customers.
“Our people first focus means we put the customer at the centre of our business, regardless of where and how our customers choose to interact with us,” he said.
Heritage aims to announce a new appointment to the chief operating officer role in the near future.
