Your browser is not supported

Our website does not support the browser you are using. For a better browsing experience update to a compatible browser like the latest browsers from Chrome, Firefox and Safari.

Karen Silk

Assistant Governor/General Manager
Economics, Financial Markets and Banking

Biography

Karen is a highly experienced financial services executive with a strong track record of building and transforming businesses across both Australia and New Zealand.

Since returning to NZ in 2012 Karen has held a number of Senior Executive roles with Westpac New Zealand including: General Manager Institutional and Business Banking; CEO of Westpac’s NZ Branch covering financial markets and international operations; CEO of Westpac’s insurance arm, Westpac Life; CEO of Westpac Funds Management arm, BTNZ and more recently as General Manager of the Experience Hub leading the design and delivery of products and services for Westpac’s New Zealand customer base.

In addition, Sustainability has been a key focus for Karen since her return to NZ.

Karen co-chaired the Sustainable Finance Forum on behalf of the Aotearoa Circle, a joint business and Government initiative, which publicly released its Roadmap for Action in 2020.

Karen has been a board member of the NZ Sustainable Business Council since 2017 and was appointed Chair in 2019.

Prior to returning to New Zealand in 2012, Karen held a range of senior positions within Westpac Australia, including Managing Director and Global Head of Debt / Debt Capital Markets for Westpac Institutional Bank.

Karen is a graduate of Canterbury University and INSEAD Alumni.