AFTER more than 20 years with Rabobank Peter Knoblanche has made it the top.
The Sydneysider will this week step into the role of chief executive officer, taking the reigns from his good friend and Dutchman, Thos Gieskes.
Mr Gieskes, who served as CEO for six and a half years, will return home to the rural lender’s global headquarters in The Netherlands.
While he joked he doesn’t have Mr Gieske’s blonde locks or infectious sense of humour, Mr Knoblanche’s vision for the bank doesn’t differ.
“We’re on a fantastic trajectory already – I think we’re focusing on exactly the right areas which will help us reach our goal of feeding the world by 2050,” Mr Knoblanche said.
A career banker, the top job has been in Mr Knoblanche’s sights for some time.
He joined Rabobank’s trade and finance team in 1996. At the time the bank was just finding its feet in Australia, having landed just six years earlier and taken over Primary Industry Bank of Australia two years later.
“It was a pretty small organisation back then, but it was noticeably enjoyable from the very beginning because everyone was so passionate about helping finance food and agribusinesses.”
The next 10 years saw Mr Knoblanche take roles in corporate lending (which took him to New Zealand) and commodity swapping. For the past decade he has headed the bank’s country banking business.
Working under his mentor Neil Dobbin (widely known as the ‘father of country banking’), Mr Knoblanche said he thrived in the “powerhouse” of the bank.
“Everyone across the bank has a focus and a passion for their clients, but to feel it every day of the week in that role was fantastic.”
Having started his career as a graduate trainee at ANZ Mr Knoblanche came to Rabobank from HSBC (Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation) where he had spent 10 years. His work at HSBC involved a stint in Hong Kong – a time he treasures.
“Hong Kong had an incredibly fast growth rate at the time – it was buzzing with activity and HSBC was at the pinnacle of much of it.”
At 53, Mr Knoblanche credits his career success to having the right attitude and working for a company with “heart”.
He heeded his grandfather’s advice which told him to “always enjoy” his work.
“In my 20 years here I never thought I was coming to work for another ‘ho hum’ day,” he said.
“I never say no to anything. I like to try different things and look at them differently, too.”
Outside of work he enjoys the company of his wife, Hetty, and son, Angus, 22, and daughter, Sophie, 19.
