BNZ brings former F&P chief on board

John Bongard has taken up a position as a mentor at the BNZ's new Highbrook business centre. Photo / Martin Sykes

When John Bongard retired as chief executive of Fisher & Paykel Appliances last year he never expected to work for a bank.

After 36 years at the appliance manufacturer he was looking forward to a good summer after a battle with prostate cancer.

But Bongard has now become the first chairman for the Bank of New Zealand's BNZ Partners division in a bid by the bank to get closer to local businesses and improve the services it offers them.

"To be honest it was something I would never ever have contemplated. If someone had said to me when I retired from Fisher & Paykel Appliances that I would be working for a bank I would have told them they were crazy," Bongard said.

When he was first approached for the role his reaction was: "I don't know whether I'm suitable - I'm not a banker - it's not my cup of tea." But they said: "That is exactly why we are considering you for the role."

Bongard is now mentor for the bank's Highbrook business centre - one of 31 new centres being built around the country focused solely on providing services for local businesses.

BNZ Partners director Anthony Healy described them as a bank equivalent of Air New Zealand's Koru Club lounges. The centres are located next to the bank's retail stores but contain meeting rooms, wi-fi access, coffee and video-conferencing facilities all free for BNZ's business customers.

Healy said the centres were particularly attractive in provincial areas where many businesses don't invest a lot in their front-of-house facilities.

So far the bank has set up 10. Another 21 are planned for the end of next year in a $40 million spend-up by the BNZ.

In combination with the business centres, BNZ is appointing local chairmen to help connect the bank with the business community. Bongard is the first of up to 25 new chairmen.

"John was perfect for this appointment because he is an accomplished international businessman and a South Auckland boy," Healy said.

Bongard said it was a "pretty brave move for a bank" to take on someone to be critical of their business. He decided to do it to help the bank understand businesses better and also because of his passion for South Auckland.

"I've lived out there all of my life ... there are some fantastic businesses out there."

The role had allowed him to better understand the banking process. He hoped to share his experiences and help more small- and medium-sized businesses get into exporting. He said the biggest challenge for business was getting the balance right between supply and staff capacity.