FROM her humble beginnings on a beef property in Yuleba to her work with agribusiness in Victoria, Westpac's new regional general manager of agribusiness has devoted her life to working for regional Australia.

Peta Ward has taken over the reins from Westpac veteran, Warwick's Rod Kelly, and is excited to be returning to her home state to work with the agribusiness industry.

The passionate manager, who has moved to Toowoomba with her husband Scott and son William, said she understands the emotion that goes along with being on the land.

"Growing up on the land has given me a great affinity with people from the land," she said.

"I get the connection that people feel, and that's the foundation of my banking approach."

As part of her new position, Mrs Ward will support customers throughout regional Queensland including farmers, agribusiness professionals and services to agribusiness at every stage of the value chain.

Mr Kelly, who retired after 40 years of service with Westpac and to Queensland, said he had no doubt that Peta was the right person to take on this "demanding but satisfying" role.

"I'm confident handing my position over to Peta, her wealth of experience and passion for agriculture will truly benefit our Queensland customers," he said.

Mrs Ward believes supporting both her customers and her staff can strengthen communities and local businesses, and she wants to bring talented people with agribusiness skills into banking and help them create new connections with rural communities.

"I want to be somebody who makes a difference in regional Australia. Somebody who sees our regional communities and agribusiness grow and be successful, domestically and globally," she said.