Beyond Bank sees prompt departure of CEO, New Zealand regulator FMA appoints transformation chief, and IAG sees off long-serving director.

Executive

◼️ Beyond Bank has announced Chief Executive Jake Bromwich will depart the bank immediately.

Bromwich, who joined B Corp accredited Beyond in May 2023, replacing the long-serving Robert Keogh, was noted by the bank for his “positive and valuable contribution… [supporting] its commitment to customers and their local communities”.

The departure comes after reports that Bromwich, who previously headed Westpac-owned RAMS Home Loans, has been embroiled in several controversies dogging the troubled lender.

Beyond thanked the outgoing Bromwich for his service over the last 18 months and wished him “all the best in his future endeavours”.

Deputy Chief Executive Wayne Matters will step up as Beyond’s Acting CEO until further notice.

◼️ New Zealand’s financial services regulator the Financial Markets Authority (FMA) has appointed Kari Jones as Executive Director for Transformation and Operational Delivery.

Jones joins the FMA from Health New Zealand, the country’s publicly funded healthcare system, where she is currently Chief Data Officer.

Prior to her role with Health New Zealand, Jones served with retail giant Woolworths, specialising in advanced analytics and insights.

FMA Chief Executive Samantha Barrass noted Jones’ 20-year career in delivering “complex transformation programs” with a specialisation in “emerging technology, data platforms, advanced analytics and data, underpinned by her people leadership strengths.”

Jones commences with the FMA in November.

◼️ Hannover Re has appointed Blake Dimitrijevic to head its Australian arm as Managing Director.

The move comes following the appointment of predecessor Michael Eberhardt to the reinsurer’s Bermuda office.

Dimitrijevic most recently worked with reinsurance broker Guy Carpenter, as Managing Director, Head of Capital Advisory APAC. Prior to this, he served 17 years with Swiss Re, where he held a number of senior roles including as head of the reinsurer’s property and casualty business management for Asia.

“With years of experience in leadership, Blake brings a wealth of expertise across group, regional, and business unit levels, excelling in both client-facing and enabling functions,” Hannover Re said in a statement.

“Throughout his career, Blake has consistently shown the ability to connect strategic vision with practical execution emphasising collaboration and continuous improvement,” it added.

◼️ Financial and wealth technology developer Iress has promoted Harry Mitchell to Deputy Group Chief Executive.

The promotion of Mitchell, who is currently Group Executive APAC and UK, will free-up group CEO Marcus Price to focus on “strategic growth opportunities” as the business progresses towards completing its transformation program, Iress said.

Mitchell will assume additional operational responsibilities including for Iress’ Superannuation business, alongside his existing portfolios of APAC Wealth and UK Wealth and Sourcing.

Trading and Data Chief executive Jason Hoang, a co-founder of Iress’s financial planning platform X-Plan, will also depart from the firm.

Geoff Rogers, who has been with the business since 2022, will step into Hoang’s role.

Rogers, who most recently oversaw Iress’s South Africa and Canada divisions, previously served at MLC and National Australia Bank.

Board

◼️ Insurance Australia Group (IAG) has announced the retirement of Director Jon Nicholson from its board.

Nicholson joined the IAG board back in September 2015 and served on three of its board committees: the People and Remuneration Committee, the Nomination Committee and the Risk Committee. During these terms, he was Chair of the People and Remuneration Committee, and Chair of the Risk Committee.

IAG Chair Tom Pockett thanked Nicholson for his significant contributions to the group, noting his delivery as Chair of the Risk Committee of “a significant uplift in the risk capabilities of the company… [and] considered input and insight regarding strategic and reinsurance risks”.

“During his time on the Board, Jon helped oversee IAG’s response to very significant natural disasters in Australia and in New Zealand, including some of the largest earthquakes, bushfires and floods ever experienced,” Pockett said.

“Like all of IAG’s Directors, he was proud to be involved in a company that helps people and communities in these circumstances, as well as in times of normal insurance operations.”