TONY Howarth (pictured) is stepping down as Westpac’s chief in WA ending an 11-year reign at the head of the banking operation that was Challenge Bank until the 1995-96 takeover.
Mr Howarth said he was informing his staff and colleagues this week of the move from the bank.
He said the decision to quit his position as Westpac’s WA CEO was not about retirement, given the other roles he already holds.
Instead, Mr Howarth expected to remain busy with other high profile roles such as his chairmanship of AlintaGas and presidency of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
In addition he is also involved in a host of other activities including the boards of Mermaid Marine, St John of God Health Care, University of WA’s Graduate School of Management, Rio Tinto WA Future Fund, the Major Performing Arts Board of the Australia Council and the Prime Minister’s Community Business Partnership.
Mr Howarth arrived in WA in 1991 to head Challenge Bank after being poached from the State Bank of NSW, that was later to become Colonial State, where he had served as general manager for retail banking.
