FINSIA announces CEO change
Chris Whitehead has stepped down as managing director and chief executive of the Financial Services Institute of Australasia (FINSIA) and will be replaced by Yasser El-Ansary.
Whitehead would step down at the end of April and would work with El-Ansary to ensure a smooth transition.
El-Ansary had been chief executive of the Australian Investment Council for the past eight years and was previously general manager of policy at the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Australia.
FINSIA president, Victoria Weekes expressed her thanks to Whitehead for his leadership over the last five years.
“Chris made a huge impact on professionalisation of financial services by successfully introducing new professional education options in banking and securities through international partnerships, strengthening continuing professional development and leading a focus on professional standards,” Weekes said.
“As a result of Chris’ leadership, being a graduate or member of FINSIA is once again seen for its true high value and there has been a substantial increase in member engagement.
“Over 10,000 people working within financial services have now enrolled in our professional education programs, only introduced in 2018 with over 3,000 graduating.
“FINSIA has responded very well to a range of difficult challenges, thanks to Chris’ leadership, including responding to falling trust in financial services, the Royal Commission, rapid digital transformation, increasing cybercrime, climate change risks and of course COVID-19.”
Whitehead said he had been privileged to lead FINSIA with its 8,000 members in Australia and New Zealand covering banking, institutional markets, funds management and securities including financial advice.
“I want to acknowledge and thank our current president, Victoria Weekes, and former president, David Gall, past and present directors, council members, and my entire team for their dedicated support over the years.
“I am proud to have led a team which has successfully re-established and grown FINSIA’s portfolio of education programs and raised professional standards, rebuilding trust, confidence and pride in our industry.
“I am proud of all of our thousands of graduates and particularly to have achieved Chartered Banker status personally.”
Commenting on his appointment, El-Ansary said: “I am excited and honoured to have been chosen to lead FINSIA.
“My professional experience across the financial services industry, and in policy and advocacy, creates a strong foundation upon which to continue building FINSIA’s long-term success.”
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