Appointment strengthens Westpac’s leadership in climate, ESG and sustainable finance
Chen brings 20+ years of experience across banking, insurance, advisory and sustainability
Move comes as Australian banks face mounting pressure to meet net-zero and disclosure targets
Westpac has appointed Michael Chen as its Deputy Chief Sustainability Officer, placing him at the center of the bank’s climate action and broader ESG strategy.
Chen, who joined Westpac in 2015, has held several senior sustainability roles, including Head of ESG for the Institutional Bank, Head of Sustainable Finance, and most recently, Acting Chief Sustainability Officer. He was instrumental in establishing Westpac’s sustainable finance business and advancing ESG integration across its institutional operations.
“Michael is passionate about the capacity of business to realise positive social and environmental impact and the integration of ESG into how we do business – and through this, create long-term value,” Westpac said.
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Before joining the bank, Chen held senior sustainability and finance roles at PwC, IAG, and the World Economic Forum. He has also served as a steering committee member of the Net-Zero Banking Alliance.
A Chartered Accountant, Chen holds a Master’s in Sustainability Leadership from the University of Cambridge and is a member of Chartered Accountants Australia & New Zealand.
With over two decades of experience at the intersection of financial services and sustainability, Chen will now lead Westpac’s sustainability strategy, focusing on climate change, human rights, and the emerging area of natural capital.
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