Tech skills of new bank deputy 'vital'

A man with close to four decades of international experience in computer software development is the new deputy chief executive of TSB Bank.

Charles Duke, who is currently the bank's IT manager, will take up his new position on January 2 following the promotion of current deputy CEO Kevin Murphy to the top position as replacement for retiring CEO Kevin Rimmington.

Mr Duke's professional background made him the perfect choice as deputy, said Mr Murphy yesterday.

"The bank's future growth is all technology-related and the skills Charles has developed will be a vital tool in taking our organisation forward," Mr Murphy said.

Blenheim-born Mr Duke, who has just completed his 38th year in software development, has been with TSB Bank for six years.

He joined the bank as a project manager responsible for upgrading its computer systems, and in 2004 he was invited to become the bank's IT manager.

Now he sees his role as helping ensure TSB Bank continues to have all the systems in place to cope with projected future growth.

"We need to stick to our knitting as an organisation with a strong focus on real-time banking and real customer service," he said.

"I think we're already doing that very well, and people are appreciating it.

"The best recent illustration of that is when we opened our new branch in Christchurch a couple of weeks ago – and a couple drove the 340km from Dunedin to attend the opening function. That's the sort of loyalty we're getting."

Mr Duke, who moved to Taranaki from Christchurch, is a motorhome enthusiast and has used his vehicle to tour every part of New Zealand apart from the Wairarapa coastline. He also has the southern hemisphere's largest collection of pop-up books – officially known as paper-engineered books – which at last count had reached 1100.

- © Fairfax NZ News