ANZ Fiji Country Head Leads By Example
ANZ Fiji Country Head Rabih Yazbek is leading by example at ANZ House Suva. The leader of ANZ Fiji along with his family arrived in the country last month.
Mid 2021, Mr Yazbek was appointed as the Country Head, Fiji at ANZ, leading virtually from his home in Sydney, Australia as international borders remained closed inflight of COVID-19.
Experience:
Of Lebanese origin, Mr Yazbek is the oldest of four.
His family immigrated to Sydney, Australia, when he was about sixyears-old.
With a banking career that spans more than 20 years, Mr Yazbek has a wealth of experience across international markets, products and customer segments.
He has wide-ranging responsibility in providing country leadership and actively delivering ANZ’s strategy in Fiji, including understanding of key business drivers and the needs of customers, leading an effective country management team, ensuring all areas of the business are aligned to deliver on the customer value proposition and providing strong change.
Mr Yazbek obtained his Bachelor of Engineering - Chemical Engineering and Master of Commerce - Finance from The University of New South Wales in Sydney, Australia (UNSW Australia).
Before taking up his role as ANZ Fiji Country Head, he was the ANZ Head of Insurance based in Sydney, from October 2014 to June this year.
In a nut shell:
In a LinkedIn post, Mr Yazbek shared their family’s experience with the traditional Fijian welcome ceremony.
Starting a Country Head role from 3,219km away isn’t something I had expected, but COVID-19 has rewritten the rulebook for many things.
It’s been a challenging period for our team and I feel a sense of relief that we’re now here in Suva to navigate this period together.
Experiencing local Fijian customs is really important to my family and I, so it was a real privilege for us to be part of a Veiqaravi vakavanua, a traditional Fijian welcoming ceremony.
The welcoming ceremony is part of the Fijian cultural identity and heritage.
It’s performed and observed in a solemn environment, as a sign of dignity and respect – not easy with three young kids in tow!
As we entered the venue, we were greeted with a tama (traditional greeting) by the assembled staff who were performing the ceremony.
Our matanivanua, the chief guest’s herald or spokesman, sat close to us. His role was to receive and acknowledge the traditional presentation on our behalf. Vinaka Sitiveni Marovia for playing this role.
Our own ANZ Fiji staff carried out the traditional kava ceremony. We sat on idabe dabe (mats and tapa). The mats are woven together from pandanus leaves while tapa are made from tree bark designed with charcoal and soil.
We wore traditional Bula wear, known as Kalavata.
We were given a Salusalu (garland), a necklace of flowers woven together by strands of vau (dried bark of wild hibiscus).
Creating, presenting and adorning these floral necklaces signifies family lineage, traditional roles and cultural affiliation.
These, along with a whale’s tooth, were presented to us acknowledging how far we have come and Taito Rauluni wished us well in Fiji on behalf of everyone at ANZ Fiji.
Then, it was time for the celebratory dinner.
It was not only a lovely way to be welcomed to Fiji but a real privilege for my family and I.
I’m grateful to the team for this wonderful welcome, and also to my wife and kids for embracing this experience.
We’re looking forward to making Fiji our home and being part of the important contribution ANZ makes to our customers’ lives here.
Future plans
Meanwhile, as a bank, ANZ will focus on what they can do.
The focus ANZ has is slightly different to a lot of their competitors.
For Mr Yazbek competition is great.
“I like to think that we focus on our strengths as a leading bank and the rest takes care of itself.”
We wish Mr Yazbek and his family all the best in paradise.!!