Cathryn Carver NAB’d

ANZ's most senior Perth-based female executive Cathryn Carver has resigned to take up a post in Sydney with rival National Australia Bank.

Ms Carver’s decision to leave Perth will be particularly noted by those who respected her work promoting gender equality in the male dominated sector of financial services.

Ms Carver, who held the position of ANZ senior managing director of international and institutional banking until she quit in September 17, is expected to start with NAB shortly before Christmas.

As NAB executive general manager for corporate and specialised business Ms Carver will lead a team of more than 1,000 bankers.

Ms Carver moved to Perth in 2012 from Hong Kong, where she was ANZ's global head of capital markets. 

An ANZ spokesperson said the bank was grateful for her contributions and wished her the very best for the future.

“During her time at ANZ Cath built strong customer relationships in Australia and globally, and made significant contributions to ANZ’s super regional strategy,” the spokesperson said.

“Cath also played a very active role in helping ANZ work towards its diversity goals and developing and accelerating leadership talent.”

Earlier this year Ms Carver told Business News she had been pleased to see ANZ chief executive Mike Smith championing the cause for more women in management in financial services.

In Australia women in the financial and insurance services hold only 37.3 per cent of the managerial positions and earn on average 36.1 per cent less than male colleagues.

“In order to help really change what’s happening in our organisations, men need to take a leadership role,” Ms Carver said.

She advised other women to be proactive about pursuing development and ask for better remuneration.

“The amount of times I tell women not to leave anything to chance … if you think you’ve done a good job, ask; if you don’t ask, you won’t get,” Ms Carver said.