Australia's ANZ has named its managing director of global commercial banking, Mark Whelan, as successor to Philip Chronican, who is leaving his role as chief executive Australia.

ANZ Banking Group's managing director of global commercial banking, Mark Whelan, will replace Philip Chronican to become the group's new Australian chief executive.

Chronican is stepping down to pursue a non-executive career after more than 30 years in banking, the group said in a statement. He will hand over responsibility for ANZ's domestic market to both Whelan and the chief executive of ANZ New Zealand, David Hisco, who takes over as global head of retail.

Whelan and Hisco are expected to take up their new positions in May.

Whelan, who has sat on the company's management board since October 2014, was previously managing director commercial Australia. He has also led ANZ's institutional, commercial and private banking operations in Asia-Pacific, Europe and America. 

Reporting to chief executive Mike Smith, Whelan will look to capitalise on opportunities that come under the group's “super regional strategies”.

“ANZ’s focus on developing internal talent with deep experience in our major domestic markets and in Asia makes Mark’s appointment a natural next step. He knows Australia and Asia well, and has a track record of delivering for shareholders and for customers,” said Smith.

ANZ's Australian business caters for the bank's retail, commercial and wealth management customer base.