John Harries takes the role of general manager, strategic marketing, bringing with him 30 years of experience in brand marketing, segment marketing, operations and product management. 

He is currently general manager of Australia operations for ANZ Banking Group. Prior to that, he served a number of senior positions at ANZ, including as managing director for retail products, MD for consumer finance, MD for banking products and head of products and marketing, mortgages.

He joins Westpac officially in October 2012, reporting directly to Brian Hartzer, the incoming chief executive for the Australian financial services unit. 

The appointment comes about a month after the resignation of former general manager Damian Eales. Harries and Hartzer had previously worked together at ANZ until 2009, when the latter moved to Royal Bank of Scotland. Hartzer was appointed to his new role in November 2011, when Westpac announced the creation of the Australian Financial Services division.

AFS covers Westpac Retail & Business Banking, St.George Banking Group, BT Financial Group, and Banking Products and Risk Management.