Heartland unveils new group CEO, Suncorp NZ fills tech chief vacancy, and the ASX announces exec’s departure.
◼️ Heartland Group has announced that Andrew Dixson, currently CFO of the banking group, will step up to become its next Chief Executive [Full story].
Dixon succeeds Jeff Greenslade, who earlier this year declared his intention to retire from the bank.
Deputy CEO Chris Flood will also depart the business as part of a strategic realignment at Heartland, with the banking group moving to formally disestablish the role.
Flood concludes his more than 25-year tenure with the banking group at the end of October.
◼️ Suncorp New Zealand has appointed Debbie Mills as Executive General Manager of Technology.
Mills joins the insurer from ASB Bank where she was Tribe Lead Home Ownership for nearly five years.
Prior to this, Mills served at the fellow CommBank-owned Bankwest for nearly nine years, and previously at Lloyds Bank’s UK, South America, and Spain arms.
Her experience and responsibilities in these roles have spanned technology, transformation, product and change management, risk management, post-merger integrations, and customer management.
Suncorp New Zealand Chief Executive Jimmy Higgins welcomed the insurer’s latest senior tech recruit, whom he said joins at an important time for its technology transformation initiatives.
“Debbie’s experience within the financial industry and the work she’s been involved in across technology, transformation, change management, and customers will help us progress our commitment to be a sustainable business that is there for our customers in the long-term,” he said.
Mark Atherton, who has been acting as EGM of Technology will return to his role as Executive Manager, Infrastructure & Operations when Mills joins the insurer in November.
◼️ The Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) has announced Chief Risk Officer, Hamish Treleaven will retire.
Treleaven was appointed CRO in March 2017, and in that time has overseen the design and implementation of “all aspects of the current risk management frameworks ASX relies on to operate and manage its business”, the Exchange said.
ASX Managing Director and CEO Helen Lofthouse acknowledged Treleaven’s critical role “in building out ASX’s risk management capability and driving the maturity of our frameworks, systems and processes”.
“Over more than seven years he has been an integral part of ASX, supporting the Group in navigating a period of significant change and progress, including continued uplift in risk management practices to meet evolving global standards.”
Treleaven was also recognised for his role overseeing the ASX’s operational resilience through Covid and leading major regulatory response programs.
The Exchange has confirmed that it is currently engaged in an internal and external search process to replace the role.
Board
◼️ Australian Banking Association Council has appointed Melanie Evans, Chief Executive of ING Australia, as its next Deputy Chair.
Evans said she welcomed the opportunity to contribute to the ABA’s “critical role in driving positive change in the industry, and to ensure customers’ interests continue to remain at the centre of policy development”.
ABA CEO Anna Bligh welcomed Evans, whom she said will serve an important role on the Council to “ensure the banking sector continues to put customer needs first”.
The Council also thanked outgoing Deputy Chair, Marnie Baker (who also recently stepped down as MD and CEO of Bendigo and Adelaide Bank), for her leadership during her five-year run as ABA Deputy Chair, as well as “outstanding” 35-year career in the banking industry.
Bligh extended her praise to the outgoing Baker, acknowledging her role as a “champion for the banking industry”, and particularly mid-tier banks, “ensuring they can remain competitive in Australia”.
◼️ Bendigo and Adelaide Bank has announced the departure of David Foster from its board, effective 23 September 2024.
Foster’s resignation after five years as a Non-Executive Director on the Bendigo board comes just months after his controversial departure from casino giant Star Entertainment, where he served as Chair.
Foster was also previously Chair of the Bendigo and Adelaide Bank board until he requested a “temporary leave of absence” in April.
The Bendigo Board, in a statement on his resignation, thanked Foster for his service and quietly acknowledged his contribution to the organisation over the last five years.
◼️ Judo has announced the retirement of Director John Fraser.
Fraser had served on the Judo board since October 2018, including his chairmanship of the neobank’s Board Risk Committee. The bank also acknowledged his key contributions to its Board Remuneration and Nominations Committee.
Judo Bank Chair Peter Hodgson recognised the outgoing Fraser’s “invaluable” and “exceptional” contribution to the business.
“Over the course of his 40-year career, John has made a lasting contribution to the financial services industry, and the experience and guidance he has brought to Judo over the past six years has been invaluable as our business has continued to scale.”
Judo confirmed that a search is currently underway for a new Non-Executive Director to replace Fraser.
◼️ Rabobank Australia has announced the appointment of Angelique Meddeler, Rabobank’s global Chief Compliance Officer, to its board, effective September 24, 2024.
Meddeler fills the position vacated by Lara Yocarini, who recently stepped down after three years on the board to take on a new role as Chief Executive Officer of Rabobank’s global asset finance subsidiary De Lage Landen (DLL).
Rabobank Australia Chair James Fazzino recognised Meddeler’s extensive experience in global banking across a diverse range of roles, coupled, he said, with a “strong knowledge of the regulatory landscape”.
Meddeler boasts 30 years’ experience in global retail and wholesale banking. She joined Rabobank in December 2021 as Chief Compliance Officer, based in Utrecht, The Netherlands.
She had previously spent more than 25 years with ING Bank, serving in a range of roles including Global FEC/AML (Financial Economic Crime/Anti-Money Laundering) Lead for ING Retail and Wholesale worldwide, Global Head Client Services Wholesale Banking, Head of International Business Clients and Head of Marketing Retail/Business Clients.
◼️ EML Payments has appointed Ken Poutakidis to its board as an Independent Non-Executive Director. He also joins the payments firm’s Audit and Risk Committee as Chair.
EML noted Poutakidis’ successful 30-year career across corporate finance, capital markets, M&A and related advisory roles.
He most recently served as Managing Partner Corporate Finance at Findex, specialising in capital raisings, asset divestments, acquisitions and strategy development.
Following Poutakidis’ appointment, Executive Director Peter Land will transition, as planned, from the EML Board to his previously announced role as Chief Corporate Development Officer, responsible for corporate strategy, development, and investor relations, among other duties.