ANZ has appointed Sohaib Mahmood as the new country head for its Fiji office, pending the necessary regulatory approvals. Mahmood, who is currently the Head of Commercial Banking for the Pacific, brings more than 20 years of international banking experience, having worked in major financial centers such as London, Singapore, and Melbourne.
Since 2013, Mahmood has been situated in the Pacific, where he has played a pivotal role in driving ANZ’s business strategies across the region. Sarah Stubbings, ANZ’s regional executive for the Pacific, highlighted Mahmood’s appointment as a testament to the bank’s commitment to continuity and the importance of deep regional insights.
“His extensive experience, coupled with strong ties to government and development partners, positions him as the perfect leader for this new chapter,” Stubbings stated. She underscored that Mahmood’s dedication to financial inclusion and economic development will be key as ANZ aims to enhance Fiji’s economic landscape.
Mahmood’s leadership experience spans various roles across Samoa, Papua New Guinea, and the Solomon Islands, where he previously served as country head. He currently leads a regional team of over 200 employees, catering to corporate, commercial, government, and institutional clients throughout the Pacific.
Expressing his enthusiasm for this new role, Mahmood remarked, “Fiji plays a vital role in ANZ’s Pacific network, and I’m humbled by the opportunity to lead our business here.” He looks forward to working closely with customers, regulators, partners, and communities to support Fiji’s economic aspirations.
In the upcoming weeks, Mahmood will collaborate with outgoing country head Rabih Yazbek, who is transitioning to a new role as head of Client Coverage for the United Kingdom and Europe in April. This leadership transition reflects ANZ’s ongoing commitment to fostering growth and stability in the Pacific region, underlining the bank’s strategic vision for its operations in Fiji.