Group Executive Profiles

Simon Blair was appointed Group Executive International Financial Services in June 2009. In this role, Simon is responsible for the Group’s offshore growth in the Asian region. He is also responsible for managing the Group’s existing Asian banking and life operations in China, India, Indonesia, Hong Kong and Vietnam, as well as its Western Australian subsidiary Bankwest.

Simon joined the Commonwealth Bank Group in November 2006 as the Managing Director for Sovereign, the Group’s insurance arm in New Zealand. Prior to this, Simon was Chief Operating Officer of Medibank Private, Australia’s biggest health insurer. He has also headed up the Inner & Eastern Health Care Network in Australia and held a senior role with the World Bank.

Simon has a strong background in both the health and finance industries within large organisations. As part of this he has gained considerable experience working in diverse countries and with many cultures.

Simon holds an honours degree from Massey University. Post-graduate studies include a Master of Science in Management from Oxford University.

Simon is married with two children and is a car enthusiast who enjoys a wide range of sports.