Who got that job?

Aaron Johnsen, head of corporate strategy and improvement, BNZ

What were you doing before accepting your new position?

I was at Westpac for seven years, where I held a variety of strategy and change, marketing and distribution roles. Westpac provided my entry to the financial services sector and the opportunity to be involved in the full gambit of strategy definition through to hands on execution of change. Before this, I held strategy and analytic roles within Telecom.

What does your new job entail?

Managing bank-wide core strategies, including enhancements and developments of the bank's sales and service culture, and implementing a customer satisfaction improvement programme.

What major challenges are ahead?

Learning my way around a new organisation, building an understanding of what makes the BNZ tick and how I can best be part of it. But also, the bank operates in a very competitive environment where getting customer experience right is key to success. They've gained considerable momentum in this area and our challenge will be in sustaining and enhancing that.

What does being the head of corporate strategy and business improvement mean to you?

To me, it's an opportunity to work for a company willing to take a bold strategic position and drive it through.

Also, I'm passionate about customer service and the customer-focused organisation. This role will allow me to help drive better outcomes for the BNZ's customers.

What else might you have done?

The telecommunications industry has had an exciting ride over the past few years and I could have stayed in that industry. I studied industrial psychology at university and could have had a very different career path in human resources.

What do you do in your spare time?

My focus is very much on my daughter, Ella, and enjoying fatherhood. Spending time with her, watching her grow and learn is unforgettable. I love travel, tech-toys and have a passion for history and science.