Government Statistician and head of Statistics New Zealand Geoff Bascand is swapping government departments to become a Deputy Governor of the Reserve Bank of New Zealand.
RBNZ Governor Graeme Wheeler announced the move today.
The Reserve Bank of New Zealand Act specifies that two deputy governors may be appointed and Bascand will join the existing deputy Grant Spencer. Bascand will be officially styled as Head of Operations of the Reserve Bank, while Spencer is deputy chief executive and Head of Financial Stability.
Wheeler said Bascand’s appointment has been approved by the Reserve Bank Board, and will take effect on 27 May 2013. He replaces Dr Don Abel, the current Head of Operations, who is officially styled as Assistant Governor. Wheeler said Abel retires this week "after providing outstanding service over an eight-year period".
“Mr Bascand is a very accomplished leader and manager. In his time at Statistics NZ, he has strengthened the official statistics system, improved organisational performance, enhanced relations and governance mechanisms, and led significant cultural change and leadership development,” Mr Wheeler said.
Bascand has previously worked in senior management roles in the Department of Labour and the New Zealand Treasury, and was a senior economist at the International Monetary Fund.
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