Kea announces interim Global CEO — Exporter Magazine

Kea announces the appointment of Kea Global Board member and one of New Zealand’s most prominent figures in the global financial sector, Craig Donaldson, as interim Global CEO.

Mr Donaldson joins the Kea team in its Auckland headquarters, effective immediately, and will continue to foster the development of Kea for the benefit of its fast growing membership base. 

“Over recent years, Kea has enjoyed significant growth and is now one of the country’s strongest links to a borderless nation of New Zealanders living around the globe. The organisation is helping this growing community of more than 200,000 to better engage with businesses at home and abroad and, in doing so, making meaningful connections that contribute to our great country,” says Mr Donaldson.

“I am extremely proud to have the opportunity to assist in New Zealand’s continued growth as Kea’s interim Global CEO. We have an inspiring array of global events and initiatives to amplify New Zealand’s standing this year, so it is an exciting time to be closely involved.”

With a career spanning more than 25 years, Mr Donaldson brings significant business acumen and expertise to help guide the organisation over the coming months as it seeks a permanent Global Chief Executive.

Mr Donaldson has held senior management positions at some of the world’s largest financial institutions, including the Royal Bank of Scotland, Deutsche Bank, Merrill Lynch and Banker’s Trust. He currently sits on boards for organisations across a range of sectors. 

As the former head of the Royal Bank of Scotland’s North American foreign exchange business, Mr Donaldson led the division’s growth into the top five foreign exchange businesses in North America. 

Mr Donaldson is well known and regarded within the Kea network, having previously co-directed its North American operations; experience that will prove invaluable to Kea’s ongoing success at an international level.

The organisation’s key focus in the coming months, Mr Donaldson says, will be assisting Kiwi businesses looking to engage on a global level through the new World Class New Zealand request service. The service facilitates introductions between local businesses and a pool of more than 240 highly influential Kiwis and friends of New Zealand in key markets around the world.