Barbara Chapman has been appointed chair of the CEO Summit Committee for APEC 2021, New Zealand Trade and Export Growth Minister David Parker announced on Thursday.

Barbara Chapman, a past CEO of ASB Bank and a former chair of Oxfam New Zealand, is currently the chair of Genesis Energy.

Parker acknowledged that Chapman has strong commercial skills, including in marketing and innovation, and is a champion for diversity.

"I am confident Barbara Chapman has a strong commitment to using the CEO Summit to showcase the best of New Zealand to an influential international business audience and to champion our APEC hosting within the domestic business community," Parker said.

The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) CEO Summit is the premier business event during the APEC host year, attracting influential business leaders from the region.

The summit will be held in Auckland from Nov. 10-13 in 2021 during APEC Leaders' Week.

The committee chair position is voluntary. Chapman's term runs until March 30, 2022.

APEC 2021 will be the largest event ever hosted by the New Zealand government and provides opportunities to deepen New Zealand business connections and advance policy interests in the Asia-Pacific region.

APEC is the region's leading trade and economic forum.