Newly merged mutual Heritage and People’s Choice have announced the appointment of a new head of technology integration, appointing Greater Bank’s digital transformation lead Penny Iverach to the role.

As head of technology integration for Heritage and People’s Choice, Iverach will lead the newly merged organisation’s technology integration roadmap. Iverach officially commenced her tenure with Heritage and People’s Choice on 8 May.

Over the last year and a half, Iverach has served as Greater’s whole-of-bank transformation portfolio lead, seconded from merger partner Newcastle Permanent to lead the bank’s migration of its core banking solution to cloud.

Prior to her secondment, she served more than 13 years at Newcastle Permanent in various IT roles, including most recently as IT digital transformation lead.

Heritage recognised Iverach’s more than 20 years’ experience in technology leadership, digital transformation, major program delivery and information security, welcoming their latest senior IT recruit as “a highly skilled technology professional”.

Heritage and People’s Choice chief information officer (CIO) Andy Weir, himself appointed to the role in January this year, said the bank was “absolutely thrilled to welcome Penny to our senior leadership team”.

“With Heritage Bank and People’s Choice officially merging on 1 March, one of the most important challenges we face now is bringing together the organisations’ technology systems to provide a first-class banking experience for our members and our people,” Weir said.

“As well as significant delivery experience, Penny brings incredible enthusiasm, a passion for complex delivery and a strong member mindset.”

The merger of Heritage and People’s Choice, completed on 1 March this year, creates Australia’s ninth-largest bank – with Heritage and People’s Choice and Newcastle Greater both vying for the title of the nation’s largest mutual bank – with approximately 720,000 members, 1,900 employees and 95 branches in Queensland, South Australia, New South Wales, Victoria and the Northern Territory.

Iverach will continue to be based in Newcastle, with regular travel to both Adelaide and Toowoomba.