Poppy Brinsley

Senior Manager, Sustainable Finance International (based in London)
Bachelor of Commerce (Finance and Management)

What do you do in your spare time, outside of work? Earlier this year I spent a lot of time running in the lead up to an ultra marathon in Scotland, so now that that’s over I have much more spare time on my hands! I still love getting outside and exercising, it’s sometimes challenging to re-connect with nature in London but there are some great spots to go for a walk just outside of the city. I also love music and theatre, so like to spend my spare evenings either getting through the long list of West End musicals on my bucket list or trying to teach myself to play piano.
What drew you to ANZ initially? During my final year at university, a major factor in choosing a graduate program was the opportunity to connect with a global network. This not only proved beneficial for my career—ANZ has since relocated me to London—but also allowed me to collaborate with diverse teams across various roles internationally. I hadn't fully appreciated the range of career paths available in banking, and working for a large international bank has exposed me to many new opportunities. The other key thing that drew me to ANZ was the culture. I felt really comfortable and welcomed during the interview processes and could tell from speaking with employees that it was a great place to work.
What has been your favourite rotation on the Graduate program? My favourite rotation was with the Sustainable Finance team (hence why I chose to pursue this pathway!). During my last year of university I picked up Environmental Science, and Sustainability and Ethics papers, and so when I discovered that there was a growing sustainable finance team at ANZ I offered to lend a hand. The Institutional team in New Zealand were fantastic at support our cohort to pursue our interests and accommodated these. Each of the rotations teach you something different and they are all valuable in different ways.
Tell us about your current role at ANZ and what it involves? I am currently part of the Sustainable Finance team in London, where I have been for the past year after relocating from our Auckland office. Our team, which is part of ANZ's Institutional division, helps our customers by encouraging them to identify climate and nature-related risks and opportunities, and financing their transition plans and sustainability strategies. My day to day can include reviewing and structuring sustainable finance transactions, analysing our customers’ ESG reporting, and drafting insights. This market is constantly evolving which keeps us engaged!
What piece of advice would you give to people looking for a Graduate program? Graduate programs give you a golden ticket learn and grow within a structured environment, where you can experience in a range of roles and take the time to find what fits for you. It is important that you choose an organisation that aligns with your goals and values, as you want to enjoy coming in to work and feel supported to fulfill your potential.

Dami Oh

2024 ANZ Plus Graduate
Bachelor of Science

What do you do in your spare time, outside of work?

I have two cats and recently brought home a puppy so taking care of and spending time with them is a big part of my routine. Outside of that, I love to play video games and hanging out with friends.

What drew you to ANZ initially?

One of the main reasons I was drawn to ANZ was their graduate program and the inclusive culture they foster. Coming from a pretty much non-technical background, I was honestly quite nervous at the prospect of stepping into a junior developer role but it was really reassuring to know that ANZ had a lot of grads in similar situations (those with non-technical degrees, career changes, etc).

Tell us about your current role at ANZ and what it involves?

My current rotation is in cloud/platform engineering so I get to learn a lot about all the different things that happen behind the scene. I’ve had the opportunity to work with cloud infrastructure, learning about things like Docker or the use of Terraform for infrastructure as code. I’ve also become more familiar with security best practices, such as managing secrets and ensuring secure access to cloud resources. It’s only been 2 months but working in cloud engineering has already expanded my understanding so much in terms of how modern applications are built and deployed in the cloud.

What piece of advice would you give to people looking for a Graduate program?

My advice for anyone considering a graduate program is to take advantage of the countless learning opportunities it offers. It’s really a unique time when you can immerse yourself in different areas, ask lots of questions, and explore what interests you. Don’t be afraid to ask for help, seek feedback or try out different rotations.

Millie Astley

Marketing Specialist
Bachelor of Commerce majoring in Marketing, Post-graduate Diploma in Environmental Science

What do you do in your spare time, outside of work?

When I'm not at work, I thrive in the great outdoors. Whether it's adventuring, hiking, surfing, swimming, or playing tennis, I relish every opportunity to stay active and connected with nature. Time spent with family and friends is invaluable to me, and I'm also a huge foodie who loves discovering new culinary spots. Traveling is another passion of mine – I recently enjoyed an amazing experience at a surf camp in Indonesia.

What drew you to ANZ initially?

I was initially drawn to the idea of working in banking because of the significant impact our services have on the community. Being part of the largest bank in New Zealand provides a unique opportunity to make a difference in the lives of our customers and the broader community. Additionally, the opportunity to participate in a well-regarded graduate program at ANZ was a major attraction, offering a strong foundation for my career development.

What was your favourite rotation on the Graduate program?

It was definitely working with the Sponsorship team. It was an incredible experience to collaborate with an amazing tean to raise $1 million for the Cancer Society. One of the highlights was bringing to life the Comedy Treatment, comedy show, featuring Dai Henwood and other comedians. Additionally, our sponsorships extend to cricket and netball, supporting grassroots levels at cricket clubs by granting cricket grants. This rotation has shown me the profound impact we can have through sponsorships and the joy of seeing our efforts make a real difference in the community.

Tell us about your current role at ANZ and what it involves?

In my current role as a Marketing Specialist in the Brand and Reputation Squad at ANZ, I have the privilege of empowering our customers through various initiatives aimed at enhancing their financial well-being. This includes providing support and education to help them avoid scams and fraud. Additionally, I get to bring our strategies to life within the community through impactful campaigns, such as Matariki and Pride, which celebrate and support cultural and social diversity. My role allows me to make meaningful contributions not only to our customers but also to the wider community, which is incredibly rewarding.

What piece of advice would you give to people looking for a Graduate program?

My advice would be to "lean in." Embrace all pathways and opportunities that resonate with you. This philosophy applies both to my life inside and outside of ANZ. Maintaining a growth mindset and actively seeking out opportunities that genuinely speak to you is key to finding the right job. It’s about being proactive, open, and willing to explore various avenues to discover what truly aligns with your passions and strengths. By leaning in, you'll pave the way to a fulfilling and successful career.

Michaela Hing

Manager, Project and Export Finance
Bcomm/LLB

What do you do in your spare time, outside of work?

I’m a big foodie, so having recently moved to Melbourne I’m enjoying experiencing all of the different restaurants and bars. I also like being active and getting outside. There are heaps of cool walks in Melbourne and the AFL is great to watch, although I’ll always be a rugby fan at heart.

What drew you to ANZ initially?

I wanted to understand companies and how they work and strategise. Working in Institutional was a great way to get exposure to a range of top NZ companies and see what makes them successful. The ANZ culture was also a significant drawcard. Everyone was so generous with their time and willing to help me learn as much as possible.

What has been your favourite rotation on the Graduate program?

I really enjoyed my Corporate Finance Rotation. That rotation gave me a really good insight into the depth and challenges that companies face. It’s a really dynamic rotation that is deal focused, so I found it really exciting.

Tell us about your current role at ANZ and what it involves?

I’m currently in the Project and Export Finance team in Melbourne. I was really lucky to move from NZ to Australia with ANZ. In this team we fund infrastructure projects around Australia and internationally. These might include government projects like hospitals, schools and roads or renewable energy projects like solar and wind. Project Finance is great because the outcomes you produce are so tangible. We can point to a road or a school and say that we helped make that happen which I think can be rare in some corporate jobs.

What piece of advice would you give to people looking for a Graduate program?

Be curious. There are so many jobs out there that you don’t even know exist, being open minded will help you find paths that you might never have considered. I think when employing for the graduate program employers are really just looking for passion and an enthusiasm to learn. If you find any graduate program that sparks even a little bit of interest or curiosity definitely lean into that! Banking isn’t just numbers and excel, it’s a really people focused business so I reckon anyone could find a role that will resonate with them.

Jared Panchia

Senior Analyst – Research & Analysis (R&A), Institutional
Bachelor of Laws & Bachelor of Business (Finance)

What do you do in your spare time, outside of work?

A lot of my spare time is spent playing sports or catching up with friends and family. If I’m not playing sports, I’m generally watching it so a lot of my spare time is dedicated to sport.

What drew you to ANZ initially?

Initially what attracted me to ANZ was its market leading position in the Institutional Industry in New Zealand. Having the opportunity to work and learn from some of the best in the industry was really valuable at the beginning of my career. I was also fortunate enough to get a place on ANZ’s Internship program, it gave me a great opportunity to understand the scope of work ANZ does and its culture.

What has been your favourite rotation on the Graduate program?

My favourite rotation was the R&A rotation which is the team I currently work in. The R&A rotation gives you great insight into the heart of institutional lending and allowed me to get a sense of the fundamentals of lending. The R&A team is also one of the larger teams in the Institutional space, so having the opportunity to meet a range of people in different roles and be part of a large team was enjoyable.

Tell us about your current role at ANZ and what it involves?

I currently sit across the Institutional R&A and Corporate Finance teams, specialising in Resource, Energy and Infrastructure customers as well as working in the Project Finance area. In R&A we support Relationship Managers from a credit perspective assisting with work ranging from the on-going management of customers to deal structuring. A lot of my role involves being well across specific industries and having a detailed understanding my customer’s businesses and their financial position.

What piece of advice would you give to people looking for a Graduate program?

I would search for graduate programs which offer a diverse range of experiences and challenge you to use different skillsets. It’s hard to know what areas or type of work motivates you coming out of university, so I think Graduate programs which allow you to rotate between different teams and learn a variety of skills is important.

Scott Sause

Audit Manager
Bachelor of Commerce

What do you do in your spare time, outside of work?

When I'm not at work, you can find me on a road trip adventure somewhere in New Zealand, catching up with my best mates, or training at my local boxing gym.

What drew you to ANZ initially?

Growing up in the early 2000s in Papua New Guinea, we had some really hot days. My first memory of ANZ was visiting a branch when I was 7 years old and being blown away by the cool aircon and the friendly staff that greeted my family and I. That impression stuck with me and eventually led me to apply for ANZ’s graduate program when I decided to pursue a career in financial services.

What has been your favourite rotation on the Graduate program?

My favourite rotation was Strategic Execution. In this rotation, I had the opportunity to work on exciting discretionary investment projects that were underway to help future-proof the bank. The rotation gave me access to learn from General Managers and Executives at ANZ, which helped broaden my perspective on banking and refine my attention to detail.

Tell us about your current role at ANZ and what it involves.

As an Audit Manager, my role is to collaborate with ANZ’s New Zealand and Pacific business units to help drive continuous improvement and to make sure there are effective safeguards or what we call “controls” in place to ensure we deliver what we promise as a bank to our customers, shareholders, regulators and fellow staff members. I do this by understanding what the business unit I am auditing is responsible for, how they operate, and the different operating risks they face. This helps me to independently challenge how they mitigate those risks. As someone who loves learning, Audit is a great place to be. I've had the opportunity to be involved in a variety of audits, which have enabled me to build a deep understanding of transactive banking, app development, institutional lending, and so much more.

What piece of advice would you give to people looking for a Graduate program?

Find a program that aligns with your interests, understand what your career goals are, and be adaptable. As you start your career, it’s important to have the right attitude and be kind to others.