Westpac has appointed Tony MacRae as its new general manager of third party distribution, with Huw Bough moving across to RAMS as its general manager of franchise business.

MacRae will take a step up from his current role as NSW state general manager of Westpac's commercial banking business, and has previously held positions that have included acting CEO of RAMS Financial Group and general manager of Westpac Third Party Distribution.

Westpac group executive retail and business bank Rob Coombe said MacRae brings strategy, sales management and specialist knowledge in distribution business to the role

"Tony's breadth of financial service leadership experience means that he is well positioned to
grow Westpac's mortgage broker business," Coombe said.

"Westpac's third-party distribution network is an integral part of the banks strategy, with approximately 45% of all new residential home lending business written through the broker channel."

Coombe said outgoing Huw Bough had put Westpac's third-party broker distribution division in a very strong position.

"I would like to especially acknowledge Huw Bough for his work with our third-party broker
distribution division," Coombe said. "Huw's exemplary leadership over the past three years has delivered a stronger mortgage broker business as well as building deepened and well respected relationships with all of Westpac's brokers, aggregator partners and industry stakeholders."

The moves come as part of a broader management change which included Westpac's multi-brand St. George group, where Clive Kirkpatrick has been named general manager, broker. Kirkpatrick was previously head of franchise at RAMS, the role Huw Bough will now fill.