Rabobank has announced the appointment of Caroline Oosterbaan as chief executive of Rabobank Australia and regional manager Australia and New Zealand.

Caroline will succeed Mark Wiessing, who is retiring after serving in both positions since May 2023, and after more than 20 years with Rabobank’s international operations.

Caroline has a broad range of experience spanning international banking and finance, strategy consulting, mergers and acquisitions, entrepreneurship and supervisory roles.

Most recently she has served as global head of clients and portfolio management for Rabobank’s international wholesale and rural business, based in the Netherlands.

Announcing the appointment, Rabobank Australia chairman James Fazzino says Caroline’s extensive experience in international banking and finance and broader business – coupled with her strong connection to Australia – made her ideally suited to take over the role of leading the global food and agribusiness bank’s fast-growing operations in the Australian and New Zealand region.

“Caroline’s strong track record in senior leadership roles in international banking and finance and a range of other industries makes her very well positioned to succeed Mark Wiessing and continue the impressive growth of Rabobank in the Australian and New Zealand markets,” he says.

“Caroline has wide experience in banking and finance, strategy and leadership. Her strategic skills and ability to effectively manage a diverse range of responsibilities makes her well credentialled for her new role.”