ANZ has appointed Sohaib Mahmood as the new Country Head for Fiji, pending regulatory approvals. Mahmood, who currently serves as the Head of Commercial Banking for the Pacific, will expand his role to lead operations in Fiji. Having worked in the Pacific since 2013, he brings over two decades of international banking experience, having previously held positions in London, Singapore, and Melbourne.
His extensive experience across the region includes previous roles in Samoa, Papua New Guinea, and the Solomon Islands, where he also served as Country Head. This background equips him with a profound understanding of the region’s regulatory frameworks, economic dynamics, and customer requirements, making him well-suited to steer ANZ Fiji.
Sarah Stubbings, Regional Executive for the Pacific at ANZ, praised Mahmood’s appointment, emphasizing the bank’s dedication to continuity and regional expertise. She noted that Mahmood’s extensive time spent building ANZ’s presence in the Pacific and his strong relationships with government and development partners position him as the ideal leader for the bank’s future in Fiji. Stubbings highlighted his commitment to financial inclusion and economic development, which will be critical to supporting Fiji’s growth.
Mahmood expressed his gratitude for the new role, recognizing Fiji’s importance in ANZ’s Pacific operations. He expressed his eagerness to work closely with customers, regulators, partners, and communities to advance Fiji’s economic aspirations. He praised the talented team in Fiji and emphasized the goal of achieving positive outcomes for customers and the wider economy.
In the weeks leading up to his transition, Mahmood will collaborate with outgoing Country Head, Rabih Yazbek, to facilitate a seamless handover. Yazbek is set to transition into a new position as Head of Client Coverage for the United Kingdom and Europe in early April.
ANZ’s enduring commitment to Fiji’s long-term development is supported by over 140 years of service in the Pacific, indicating a strong future for the region under Mahmood’s leadership.