HCF names next chief executive, HESTA appoints new Information Security head, and the Reserve Bank of NZ appoints Governor for six-month term.
Executive
◼️ HCF has appointed Lorraine Thomas as the insurance group’s next Chief Executive, replacing the retiring and long-serving CEO Sheena Jack.
Thomas is currently HCF’s Chief Operating Officer (COO). She joined the insurer – touted as Australia’s largest not-for-profit health fund – in 2015 as Head of Product, serving in a number of executive positions before taking on the COO role in February 2024.
Over her 10 years with HCF, Thomas has also served as Chief Officer of Product & Diversified Business and Chief Officer of Product & Innovation, being recognised for “leading key initiatives to enhance member offerings, drive digital transformation, and expand diversified health services”.
Prior to joining HCF, she held leadership roles across Allianz, BT Financial Group, and MetLife.
HCF Chair Mark Johnson recognised Thomas’s “strategic focus, industry expertise, leadership skills, and commitment to delivering member value will ensure HCF continues to thrive while upholding our not-for-profit mission”.
Outgoing CEO Sheena Jack was also acknowledged for her “distinguished 15-year tenure in senior leadership roles” across HCF.
“Under Sheena’s leadership, HCF has undergone significant transformation,” HCF said in a statement, noting her role in spearheading the introduction of HCF Catalyst, Australia’s first corporate-backed health technology accelerator, and Flip, the country’s first on-demand accident insurance product.
“She was instrumental in the acquisition and integration of Manchester Unity, RT Health, and Transport Health, expanded the Dental and Eyecare Network, and launched the HCF Overseas Visitors Health Cover business.”
Johnson hailed Jack as an “outstanding leader, making a lasting impact on the private health insurance industry, the mutual sector, our staff and most importantly, our members”.
Thomas commences on Jack’s departure date of 1 July 2025.
◼️ HESTA has appointed Nick Catherall as General Manager of Information Security.
The super fund said the appointment “[underscores its] ongoing focus on data security”.
As infosec head, Catherall will report to Senior Technology and Digital Strategist Peter Lawrence.
Catherall boasts more than 20 years in financial services roles, with HESTA noting his “extensive expertise in security strategy, risk management, and cyber resilience”.
He previously served as Regional Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) at CHUBB, CISO at AVIVA, and Head of Information Security Management at ANZ.
HESTA Chief Executive Debby Blakey said the appointment supports the super fund’s focus “on keeping members’ data safe”.
Senior Technology and Digital Strategist Peter Lawrence added: “Nick is a fantastic addition to the team. His industry experience and proven ability to align cybersecurity with business objectives, while focusing on compliance and resilience, will be instrumental in further shaping our information security strategy.”
Catherall said he was excited to join “a passionate and purpose-driven team” at HESTA. “[I] look forward to contributing to the great work they are doing, and building on these strong foundations as we navigate the evolving digital landscape.”
Alongside Catherall, HESTA also announced the appointment of Michael Blayney as General Manager of Dynamic Asset.
◼️ Westpac has appointed Kate Dee as Chief People Officer (CPO).
Dee, who is set to step into her new role “later this year”, joins from health insurer Bupa Asia Pacific, where she served as CPO for seven years.
Westpac Chief Executive Anthony Miller hailed Dee as a “highly accomplished leader who has successfully steered people and culture teams in a range of industries around the world”.
“She will be a great addition to the Westpac group executive,” he added.
Bupa APAC Chief Executive Nick Stone recognised Dee’s significant contribution to the health insurer over her seven years as CPO.
“Kate has been instrumental in supporting and leading our people through times of significant change at Bupa and in our sector including the Covid-19 pandemic.”
Stone added: “Kate has nurtured our purpose-driven culture, led advancements in the way we foster our talent and our leadership pipeline, championed the career progression of women, and our leading position in psychological safety.”
Miller said he looked forward to seeing Dee’s “energetic and engaging approach in action at Westpac, alongside her steady focus on linking customer outcomes to an organisation’s people and culture”.
Prior to joining Bupa in 2018, Dee was General Manager, Talent at NAB and Executive Director, Global Organisation and Leadership Development at Time Warner, based in London.
◼️ The NZ Government has appointed Christian Hawkesby as Governor of the Reserve Bank of New Zealand (RBNZ) for a six-month term.
Hawkesby has been acting Governor since 5 March and will be Governor from 8 April for a six-month term while the recruitment of a full-term (five-year) Governor takes place.
According to the RBNZ, Hawkesby’s appointment may be extended by the Minister of Finance for up to three additional months.
“I am proud to step into the role of Governor and continue contributing to our mission of working to enable economic prosperity and wellbeing for all New Zealanders,” Hawkesby said.
Board Chair Neil Quigley said Hawkesby’s appointment “reflects both his contributions and our confidence in his ability to continue strengthening New Zealand’s financial system, chair the Monetary Policy Committee and be CEO of RBNZ”.
The RBNZ board has commenced the recruitment process to nominate for a full-term Governor.
The RBNZ said it has also commenced recruitment for a new external member of the Reserve Bank of New Zealand’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) who will replace Professor Bob Buckle after the end of his term on 30 September 2025.
Under its remit, the MPC is responsible for maintaining the New Zealand economy’s price stability over the medium term, including decisions on monetary policy.
◼️ ANZ has brought forward the commencement date for incoming Chief Executive Nuno Matos by several weeks.
Matos, originally slated to begin his term as CEO on 3 July 2025, will now commence on 12 May 2025.
Incumbent CEO Shayne Elliott will continue to serve in the role until 11 May and will provide handover support until 30 September.
ANZ Group Chair Paul O’Sullivan said: “With the leadership transition well progressed, we are pleased that Nuno has been able to secure the early fulfilment of his commitments with his previous employer and bring forward his start date.
“I would like to thank Shayne for leading an orderly handover as we enter the second half of our financial year,” O’Sullivan added.
Matos joins from HSBC where he was most recently CEO of Wealth and Personal Banking, responsible for 87,000 employees serving approximately 40 million customers across 35 markets.
Board
◼️ ANZ today announced Alison Gerry will join its Group board from 9 May 2025, replacing Jane Halton.
Gerry, who has been a Director of ANZ Bank New Zealand since 2019, has extensive experience in the financial services and infrastructure sectors, including early roles at Macquarie Bank and HSBC, and more recently as a former director at Kiwibank and NZX.
Gerry is currently a Director of Air New Zealand and is Chair of Infratil and Sharesies.
ANZ Chair Paul O’Sullivan said the newly appointed Gerry would make a “valuable contribution given her extensive financial services experience, particularly in the areas of finance, risk and trading”.
Halton first joined the ANZ Group Board in 2016 and has chaired the Digital Business & Technology Committee, the Ethics, Environment, Social & Governance Committee and the Suncorp Bank company Board, Norfina Limited.
Carolyn Steele, who joins the ANZ NZ Board on 1 April 2025 as an Independent Non-Executive Director, will replace Gerry as ANZ NZ Audit Committee Chair.
O’Sullivan recognised the outgoing Halton’s “valuable contribution to the board and shareholders over many years”.
“Her experience in public health was particularly beneficial as we navigated the Covid pandemic and we thank her for her service.”
◼️ IAG has appointed JoAnne Stephenson as an Independent Non-Executive Director, effective 12 May 2025.
Stephenson’s executive career spans more than 25 years across a diversity of industries, including more than 15 years as Partner with KPMG.
An experienced company director across public and private organisations, Stephenson’s current listed company roles include: Director of Challenger and Chair of its Group People and Remuneration Committee, serving as a member of its Group Risk Committee, Group Audit Committee, Independent and Related Party Committee and Nomination Committee; a Non-Executive Director of Qualitas, and Chair of its Nomination, Remuneration & Culture Committee; and a Non-Executive Director of Helia Group Limited (since 2024).
IAG said the veteran industry leader would bring additional insurance and other financial services, risk management, and transformational change skills to the board, supplementing those of IAG’s existing directors.
IAG Chair Tom Pockett welcomed Stephenson’s “extensive experience” in directorship roles, with key strengths in finance, accounting, risk management and governance, “critical to our efforts to retain a strong IAG board capable of guiding and supporting our business”.