NBN chairman Switkowski to retain Suncorp role

New NBN Co chairman Dr Ziggy Switkowski is confident his interim responsibility to also act as the network builder's chief won't adversely impact his existing responsibilities with banking giant Suncorp.

Speaking at Suncorp's annual general meeting, Switkowski told shareholders he wanted "to assure you I have the enthusiasm and capacity to carry out my duties for the Suncorp Group while taking on the demands of the National Broadband Network".

Switkowski was appointed chairman of a slimmed-down NBN board earlier this month.

He is also acting in the role of CEO at NBN Co while a replacement for Mike Quigley is found. Quigley resigned in July.

"The intention is that my [chief] executive role [with NBN Co] will cease upon the appointment of a new CEO for NBN," Switkowski said. "Finalising this appointment is a priority for me."

Switkowski said he had taken action to free up time to focus on his interim responsibilities as NBN Co chief, "taking a leave of absence from the board of Oil Search" and resigning from Opera Australia and miner Lynas Corporation.

He said he would "continue to reassess" his remaining commitments to ensure his workloads at NBN Co and Suncorp "can co-exist without compromise during this interim period."