Sir Ralph Norris

Sir Ralph Norris KNZM is a world-renowned business leader whose lifetime achievements have changed the global banking industry, as well as helped grow New Zealand’s identity as a nation of innovators and high achievers.

Sir Ralph is famously known for his six-year tenure as the CEO of the Commonwealth Bank of Australia and for being the former CEO of ASB and Air New Zealand. Considered a Chief Executive in Shining Armour, Sir Ralph is the recipient of numerous awards and accolades including Chief Executive of the year 1997 and 2004, New Zealand Executive of the Decade 2010, Māori Business Leader of the Year 2010 and Laureate of the Business Hall of Fame 2014.

In 2006, he was made a Distinguished Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to business and he was redesignated Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit in 2009. In Australia, he was named Australian Banking and Finance Banker of the Year in 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2012 and Banker of the Decade and Customer Service CEO of the Year in 2010.

In 2012, the University of New South Wales conferred on Sir Ralph an Honorary Doctorate of Business in recognition of his contribution to Australian business.