Sayers welcomes former Westpac CEO Brian Hartzer as a senior advisor

Australian consulting firm Sayers has bolstered its ranks with former Westpac chief executive Brian Hartzer, an addition described by founder and executive chair Luke Sayers as a “game changer” for the firm’s and clients and teams.

Brian Hartzer served as the CEO of Westpac for five years between 2015 and 2020, having previously held executive roles at Royal Bank of Scotland and ANZ Bank. Since departing, Hartzer penned a book on leadership, and served as a senior advisor to Quantium, a data science consultancy and tech provider based in New South Wales. 

In his new part-time role at Sayers, Hartzer works as a senior adviser to the consulting and investment management teams of the Melbourne-based firm, which was established last year by a group of former PwC partners including chief executive Luke Sayers. Hartzer said he looks forward to his new challenge, describing Sayers as a “modern advisory and investment business designed for the new economy.” 

“We're assembling a team of the brightest minds to unlock opportunities for our clients,” said Sayers. “As an experienced executive, leadership mentor and investor, Brian’s strategic insight will make a meaningful contribution to our clients and our business.”

Sayers works at the intersection of financial advisory and management consulting, specialising in business advisory services, investment and impact investing consultancy, and family office services. The consultancy, which is backed by private capital from Australia and the United States, also has a Technology & Platforms business.

For Hartzer, the move marks his return to the world of consulting. After graduating from Princeton University in the US, he started his career at First Manhattan Consulting Group, a New York-based strategy and risk management consultancy to the financial services industry. He spent a decade at the firm, latterly in the role of Vice President.