Bank South Pacific (Samoa) Limited has announced the appointment of one of its managers, Jennifer Ula-Fruean as the new Country Head.  

The announcement by the bank follows the appointment of Taituuga Maryann Lameko-Vaai as the General Manager Offshore Branches with Port Moresby-based B.S.P. Financial Group Limited, the parent company of B.S.P. Samoa.

In a statement released by B.S.P. Samoa on Saturday, the bank advised of the new appointment and said Ms. Fruean is a Samoan citizen and currently holds the position of Head of Finance with B.S.P. Samoa. 

Her appointment reflects continued commitment by B.S.P. to promoting citizen employees to senior management roles, added the statement from the bank.

Ms. Fruean credited her family for her success and expressed gratitude to Taituuga and the senior B.S.P. executive as well as the whole team.

“I am grateful to our Lord for his endless blessings on me and my family and expressed gratitude to Taituuga Maryann Lameko-Vaai, B.S.P. senior executives and the whole B.S.P. Samoa team for this is a fantastic team achievement for our business," she said in the statement. 

"I also stand tall today, because of the sacrifices, prayers and service of my parents, the late Tunumafono Ae Faalata Ula and Maria Walter-Ula and my birth mother the late Jennifer Marion Lincoln-Ula.”   

The eldest of seven children to veteran teacher and School Principal Mr Ula, Ms. Fruean is married to Fonoti Ferron Fruean with three children from Ululoloa.

“I look forward to continuing to serve Samoa and our customers in this new role.”  

The new appointee has 20 years of experience in leadership and management including 10 years of experience in the banking industry and 10 years in the insurance industry.  

Her experience spans different industries, having worked as an auditor at the Samoa Audit Office, financial controller/company secretary at the National Pacific Insurance Limited and chief financial officer/company secretary at National Bank of Samoa Limited.  

She also sits on a number of Government and private sector boards as well as board committees in Samoa and the Pacific.

Ms. Fruean's qualifications include a Bachelor of Arts in Accounting & Financial Management degree from the University of the South Pacific, Suva as well as various certifications including chartered accountant – Samoa Institute of Accountants, Senior Associate Certified Insurance Practitioner ANZIF and Certified Public Accountant CPA Australia. 

She is also a participant of the B.S.P. Leadership and Management Development Program, has completed numerous leadership courses at Melbourne Business School and the prestigious Insead Executive Business School in France.