Gregory Watson
Inducted 2023
Born in Cessnock in 1949, Greg attended Cessnock West Primary School and later Cessnock High School where he was school captain in 1965. He subsequently commenced what was to be become a long career in international banking and finance within the Indo Pacific region.
As a commissioned officer in the Australian Army Reserve (Royal Australian Signals) Greg served from 1970 until he was placed on the retired list. He was awarded the Australian Defence Medal for his service.
In 1974 Greg established a training centre in Fiji for ANZ Bank staff. In 1976 he moved to New York to assist in the establishment of a branch of ANZ Bank on Wall Street, and later a branch in Los Angeles. From 1980 Greg managed Operations at ANZ Bank in Singapore. In 1990 Greg moved to ANZ’s International Division where he worked on a project to establish banking operations in Vietnam.
In 1993 Greg took up a position as Vice President/General Manager Branch Banking with Citibank.
In recognition of his considerable contribution to excellence in international banking, Greg was awarded Fellowship of the Australian Institute Banking and Finance in 1997. In 2000 Greg moved into management consulting with A.T. Kearney Inc., one of the world’s leading management consulting firms. As Principal of its Financial Services Practice in New Delhi until 2003, he managed a number of large projects in Bengaluru and Mumbai. He later undertook projects in Indonesia and China until 2006. Working first on re-structuring projects in Papua New Guinea, and later, on a due diligence assignment for the possible takeover of a bank in Fiji, this was soon followed by 3 years as Country Manager of Bank South Pacific in Fiji. He was later part of expert teams undertaking due diligence on the takeover of banks in Fiji and Samoa.
Greg was Chairman of the Association of Banks in Fiji and also President, Fiji Institute of Bankers during 2008-2009. A Board member of the Rotary Club of Suva, he was awarded a Paul Harris Fellowship in 2009. In 2011 Greg worked as a consultant for Asian Development Bank assisting the Fiji Government on projects to reform State-Owned Enterprises. In 2015 Greg commenced work to assist the Government of Nauru in the provision of banking services to the community, where there had formerly only been a cash economy. He is also active on the Board of the Nauru Chamber of Commerce.
Plaque location
Garden adjacent to 113-115 Vincent Street, Cessnock