Helping hands
FRCS to appoint new CEO
WESTPAC Fiji staff members spent over 1664 hours doing community work in the last financial year, breaking expectations compared with the previous year.
“We’re incredibly proud of the work that we’ve done in 2023 and we are committed to supporting the people in our communities in areas that matter,” Westpac Fiji chief executive officer Shane Smith said.
“It’s all about lending a helping hand to those in need and that’s something we are proud of.
“Community work has the power to humble us and help with team building skills, collaboration and the importance of clear communication which are all needed in leadership development for our employees.”
Annually, Westpac Fiji employees are entitled to one paid leave day or ‘volunteer leave’, to participate in community work with a charity or organisation of their choice, the company stated.
In the past, it added, these projects have included planting mangroves on Serua island and along the Coral Coast, repainting the Oncology Ward at Labasa Hospital and making donations to St Giles Hospital in Suva among others.
The bank also designed and put together a ‘Westpac Fiji Volunteer Look Book’ which contains information on the various community projects undertaken by previous groups as well as new community initiatives and needs, which act as a guide for staff members who would like to undertake community work in the years to come.
A NEW chief executive officer for the Fiji Revenue and Customs Services is likely to be named soon.
Acting CEO and board chair Malakai Naiyaga described as “good” the response to FRCS’ call for expressions of interest to the tax office’s top job following the premature departure of previous incumbent Mark Dixon last year.
“We went through a very intensive (recruitment) exercise and we’re getting very close.
“The board has to make that decision and I’m told they’ll make a decision and make an announcement in the next two weeks,” Mr Naiyaga told
He said interests were expressed from within Fiji and also former Fiji residents that are overseas. FRCS has had a checkered history of past CEOs not completing their terms, with six people holding the role between 2020 and July last year.