In our first edition of Movers and Shakers for 2025: senior Telstra tech joins Bendigo Bank as new CTO; Assistant Treasurer & Finance Minister and ABA chief announce forthcoming retirements; and Westpac unveils Miller’s successor as business banking head.
◼️ Bendigo Bank has announced Kieran O’Meara (pictured) as its next Chief Technology Officer (CTO).
O’Meara, who commences his new role on 1 April, joins Bendigo after more than a decade with Telstra Group, most recently as Executive of Software Engineering & IT, where over the last two and a half years he oversaw the telco’s customer technology, corporate and employee technology, shared services, digital and software engineering functions.
Bendigo hailed O’Meara’s “extensive experience in key areas such as digital transformation, technology delivery and software engineering”.
CEO and Managing Director of Bendigo Bank Richard Fennell welcomed the appointment of a permanent CTO as an “important step to support the continued acceleration of the bank’s technology and digital agendas as it positions the business for sustainable growth”.
“I am pleased to welcome Kieran to the executive team. Kieran’s expertise is highly sought after, and we look forward to leveraging his experience for the benefit of our customers,” Fennell said
“His leadership of our technology and transformation division will ensure we can continue to build capability, deliver improved experiences and deepen relationships with our customers.”
O’Meara said he was “excited to support the next phase of Bendigo Bank’s busy growth agenda”.
The newly appointed CTO will be supported in the transition by Acting Chief Information Officer Nathalie Moss, who stepped in for Andrew Cresp following his departure from Bendigo Bank in mid-2024.
◼️ Bendigo has also announced the forthcoming departure of Chief Transformation Officer Ryan Brosnahan.
Brosnahan will depart the bank in mid-2025 after five years leading the transformation function, as well as overseeing the bank’s digital, data, payments, and technology functions.
CEO Fennell acknowledged the outgoing transformation chief’s “hard work on strengthening capability and reducing complexity in our organisation”.
The bank noted that work completed under Brosnahan’s transformation program “cleared the way for a modern and digital bank with a contemporary and less complex technology profile”.
“Ryan’s leadership of the transformation program has laid the foundations for our future success,” Fennell added.
◼️ Assistant Treasurer and Minister for Financial Services Hon. Stephen Jones has announced he will retire at the upcoming election after a 15-year parliamentary career.
Jones was appointed Minister for the dual Assistant Treasurer/Financial Services portfolio following the election of the Albanese Labor Government in June 2022.
The Minister reflected on his record in the dual portfolio, noting his key contributions to “fighting scams, protecting workers superannuation, making financial advice more accessible and affordable, and strengthening consumer protections for all Australians”.
Jones departs with a number of Government priorities still in the legislative balance however, including crypto sector regulation, stronger financial advice laws, payments system reform, and a tightening of the investor test.
In a statement issued on 30 January, Jones expressed “immense gratitude to my community for the faith and trust they have placed in me to be their representative since 2010”.
“I want to thank the members of the Australian Labor Party, whose values I hold dear and have always attempted to advance in my role as a Member of Parliament, Shadow Minister and Minister.”
Commenting on his departure, Financial Services Council (FSC) chief executive Blake Briggs, said: “The FSC commends Stephen Jones for his hard work and dedication to the financial services industry.
“The financial services industry has appreciated his collaborative and open approach when working with the industry over the past five years, as both the Assistant Treasurer and as opposition spokesperson.
“The Assistant Treasurer can rightly point to a number of successes in his portfolio, and the industry lauds his efforts in ensuring financial advice reform remained on the Government’s agenda, legislating the first tranche of its response to the Levy [Quality of Advice] review.”
Among the leading candidates to replace Jones are Victorian MP Daniel Mulino, current Chair of Standing Committee on Economics, NSW Senator Jenny McAllister, currently Minister for Emergency Management Minister for Cities, and NSW MP Andrew Charlton.
◼️ Westpac has named Paul Fowler as Chief Executive, Business & Wealth.
Fowler will commence in the role in mid-2025, replacing Peter Herbert, who is currently acting in the role.
Fowler joins Westpac from big four rival the Commonwealth Bank of Australia, where he currently serves as Executive General Manager, Regional and Agribusiness Banking in Business Banking, supporting a broad range of business and corporate customers across the property, agriculture, healthcare, education, manufacturing, hospitality and retail sectors.
Since joining CBA in 2015, Fowler has also held the roles of CFO, Institutional Banking and Markets, and Executive General Manager, Mergers and Acquisitions.
Prior to joining CBA, Fowler spent over a decade in corporate finance, with roles at Goldman Sachs and Citigroup, predominantly advising financial institutions across Australia and offshore.
Fowler was warmly welcomed by Westpac as an “experienced leader in financial services with a career spanning more than 20 years in business and institutional banking, corporate finance and wealth management”.
“Paul has built an impressive track record of success over a long career, most recently leading business banking across regional Australia for CBA,” said Westpac CEO Anthony Miller, who last year vacated the Chief Executive, Business & Wealth role to lead the bank.
“I know Paul will bring a strong customer focus, experience in leading high-performing teams and a drive for results in this important segment of the market for Westpac,” Miller added.
Miller previously oversaw Westpac’s business and wealth division before his appointment as Group Chief Executive last September.
The CEO also praised the outgoing Herbert for “superb” efforts as interim business and wealth head.
“Peter has done a superb job of driving momentum and focus in the division and I thank him for stepping in to act in this role during a critical transition period,” he said.
◼️ The Australian Banking Association (ABA), the peak representative body for Australia’s commercial banking sector, has announced that its current Chief Executive Anna Bligh will retire in mid-2025 after eight years in the role.
ABA Chair Andrew Irvine hailed Bligh’s “transformative role for the industry through difficult and necessary periods for the country”.
“Her broader experience and leadership had been heavily relied upon by ABA members and the financial services sector.”
He noted her contributions as ABA CEO as a “cornerstone of industry actions” particularly following the Hayne Royal Commission in 2018-19 as well as the industry’s “positive response to support customers and the broader economy during the covid pandemic and recovery”.
“On behalf of the membership and Council of the ABA, I would like to thank Anna for her enormous contributions to our industry and recognise the significant impact she has had,” Irvine added.
◼️ Insignia Financial has promoted Damien O’Donnell to the role of Chief Technology Officer (CTO).
O’Donnell replaces Acting CTO Frank Lombardo.
Joining Insignia (then IOOF) in 2009, O’Donnell has held several senior IT titles at the wealth firm, including as General Manager of Platform Technology and Architecture, GM of Strategy and Data, and most recently as GM of Architecture, Data and Platforms.
O’Donnell boasts more than 25 years’ experience in IT and financial services. Prior to joining Insignia, where he was appointed Head of Business Systems and Delivery in 2009, he worked in business systems analyst roles at Challenger and Australian Wealth Management.
Insignia Chief Executive Scott Hartley welcomed O’Donnell to the executive team, saying he would bring a “deep understanding of the technology and financial services industries and will be an integral part of the execution of our FY2030 Strategy.”
Hartley also praised the Acting CTO Lombardo for his contributions over the last six months, overseeing the completion of the firm’s separation from NAB and supporting the transition to a new operating model, he said.
Lombardo was the previously Chief Operating and Technology Officer prior to the company’s restructure last July.
◼️ New Zealand insurer Tower has announced current Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Paul Johnston as Interim Chief Executive Officer (CEO).
The move follows the resignation of former CEO Blair Turnbull, who stepped down on 12 February.
Johnston, who joined Tower as CFO in January 2022, was noted for his “considerable international experience in insurance and financial services, and… extensive background in strategy and operational leadership”.
“This expertise equips him to effectively guide the organisation during this transitional period,” the insurer said in a statement.
Stepping in as interim CFO is current Deputy CFO Angus Shelton. Shelton has held senior finance positions at Tower since 2017.
Tower board is currently recruiting for a permanent CEO.
◼️ The Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) has appointed Dirk McLiesh as its permanent Chief Risk Officer (CRO), effective 3 March.
He replaces Leanne McDougall, who has served as Interim CRO since November 2024 following the retirement of Hamish Treleaven.
McLiesh joins the ASX from Westpac New Zealand, where he served as Chief Risk Officer since August 2022. Prior to this, he held senior leadership risk roles at the Bank of New Zealand, as General Manager, Management Assurance & Control, at NAB, as Chief Risk Officer Technology and Operations, and Executive General Manager Operational Risk, as well as Westpac.
The ASX noted McLiesh’s “deep expertise in both financial and non-financial risk, including a strong track record in delivering risk culture change and regulatory engagement programs”.
“McLiesh is an accomplished listed-company executive with more than 25 years’ experience in risk management leadership positions within the financial services industry in Australia and New Zealand.”
ASX Managing Director and Chief Executive Helen Lofthouse said McLiesh possessed the “right skills to drive the continued strengthening and improvement of our risk culture and risk management approach at ASX.”
“We have a clear program of delivery on risk culture as part of our five-year strategy, and we’re making good progress,” Lofthouse added.
She also acknowledged McDougall’s “positive impact at ASX” during her time as Interim CRO.
McLiesh, as CRO, will report directly to Lofthouse and join the ASX’s Executive Leadership Team.
◼️ Beyond Bank has announced the appointment of banking industry veteran David Marshall as Chief Executive.
Marshall was most recently Chief Executive of Ultradata, a core banking technology developer.
He boasts more than 35 years’ experience in Australia’s banking sector, previously leading fellow mutual banks, Defence Bank and Hume Bank. Prior to this, Marshall held senior executive positions at both Commonwealth Bank and Westpac.
“David’s deep understanding of customer-owned banking and his extensive experience in the fast-paced world of technology made him a natural choice to lead our bank as we continue to expand our commitment to deliver meaningful financial well-being to families and communities across Australia,” said Beyond Bank chair Sam Andersen.
“We welcome him and look forward to his stewardship at the helm of one of Australia’s most trusted customer-owned banks.”
Commenting on his new role, Marshall said he was “thrilled to join Beyond Bank”, admiring the mutual’s “strong community credentials and the impact it has in those communities and the people who are part of those communities”.
Currently based in Melbourne, Marshall will relocate to Adelaide where he will oversee the bank’s national metropolitan and regional network, taking over from Interim CEO Wayne Matters.
Marshall commences on 26 March 2025.
◼️ MLC Life Insurance has confirmed Melissa Ammon as Chief Risk Officer after six months as interim.
As part of the executive role, Ammon will lead the life firm’s critical risk, compliance, governance and legal teams.
Ammon joined MLC Life Insurance in 2023 as General Manager, Risk, and has been acting as Chief Risk Officer since September 2024, replacing Jane McGovern who was appointed Chief Customer and Strategy Officer.
Prior to joining MLC Life Insurance, Ammon held senior risk, compliance and business transformation roles at iCare NSW and Commonwealth Bank of Australia.
Kent Griffin, Chief Executive and Managing Director of MLC Life Insurance acknowledged Ammon as “a highly respected leader with more than 25 years’ experience spanning insurance, financial planning, superannuation and asset management”.
“Since joining MLC Life Insurance, Melissa has driven a positive uplift in our risk capability. She has also done a fantastic job leading our Risk, Compliance Governance and Legal function during what has become a time of significant change for our business,” he said.
Griffin added: “Melissa’s appointment further strengthens our leadership capability and I am delighted to have Melissa join our Executive Team as we progress plans to complete the merger and become Acenda later this year.”
◼️ The Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA) has announced the forthcoming departure of Chief Operating Officer Justin Untersteiner.
Untersteiner will take up a new role as CEO of the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (Ahpra), departing AFCA on 14 March.
“We congratulate Justin on his new role, and I am glad that another national, for-purpose organisation will benefit from his experience and leadership,” said AFCA Chief Ombudsman and Chief Executive Officer David Locke.
Untersteiner joined the then recently formed AFCA, launched the year prior, as Chief Operating Officer in December 2019.
“In the five years Justin has been with AFCA, he has helped shape the way AFCA operates – overseeing the introduction of a new user-pays funding model and a major IT transformation project that has integrated a modern case management system, an updated member firm portal and a new portal for consumers,” Locke said.
He added: “Justin leaves AFCA with a strong leadership team well placed to support us into the future.
“We wish him every success in his new role.”
◼️ The Bank of Sydney has appointed Yiannis Nikitas as Head of Retail Banking.
Nikitas boasts nearly two decades’ experience in the banking industry, previously serving as Area Manager for Retail and Lending at Bank of Melbourne, and prior to this at WA lender Bankwest.
The BoS noted Nikitas’ “proven track record in retail banking, customer relationship management, and leadership”.
“We are thrilled to welcome Yiannis to Bank of Sydney,” said BoS Chief Banking Officer, Huw Bough.
“His extensive experience and commitment to empowering teams and enhancing customer relationships make him a valuable addition to the organisation.”
◼️ Cross-industry cyber resilience collective the Critical Infrastructure – Information Sharing and Analysis Centre (CI-ISAC Australia) has announced the appointment of David J. Gee as a National Ambassador.
The Ambassador role aligns with the group’s broader goal of driving awareness, collaboration and resilience across Australia’s critical infrastructure sectors.
Gee’s most notable recent roles include senior tech roles at Macquarie Group, as Global Head of Technology, Cyber, and Data Risk and HSBC Asia Pacific as CISO.
He has also served in key leadership roles at Metlife Japan, Eli Lilly, and Credit Union Australia (rebranded Great Southern Bank).
“David brings an exceptional wealth of experience to this pivotal role. With over 25 years of leadership in technology, cyber security, and risk management, he has been at the forefront of transforming IT infrastructures and driving digital security for major organisations globally,” the CI-ISAC Australia wrote in a Linkedin post.
“His deep expertise in both cyber security and critical infrastructure makes him uniquely qualified to help guide Australia’s ongoing efforts to enhance the resilience of key sectors — such as financial services, power, water, networks, data centres, and healthcare.
“Financial services, a sector already recognised for its maturity in cyber security, relies heavily on the secure and efficient operation of these foundational industries. David’s extensive experience securing Australia’s financial sector will help strengthen this mutual interdependence across sectors, reinforcing the collective resilience of Australia’s critical infrastructure.”
Gee joins fellow CI-ISAC Ambassadors Chirag D Joshi, Hayley van Loon, Adam Green, and Denny Wan.
◼️ MLC Life Insurance has appointed Peter Moutsatsos as General Manager of Integration.
The integration specialist will support the firm’s merger with Resolution Life Australasia, forming the combined entity Acenda – set to be Australia’s third-largest life insurer.
Moutsatsos most recently served at the Bank of Queensland as Program Director of the APRA Enforceable Undertaking Remediation and prior to this as Integration Program Director, leading a multi-year program to synergise operations and to improve the bank’s financial and operational resilience and risk culture.
He previously held senior transformation roles at Telstra, as Chief Project Officer, and BHP.
MLC Life Chief Customer and Strategy Officer Jane McGovern said she was “delighted” by Moutsatsos’ appointment.
“Our priority is to ensure good experiences for our customers and partners during the transition and to make the transition as smooth as possible. We have already started this important work and will continue to communicate with our customers and partners directly.
“We are committed to putting customers at the heart of everything we do and the transition to Acenda will strengthen this commitment.”
◼️ AMP has appointed Tina Cleary as Chief Marketing Officer.
Cleary boasts more than 25 years of experience and senior leadership roles in fintech, payments, telecommunications, and music industries across North America, the UK & Europe and Australia.
She joins the Australian financial services and banking group as it seeks to increase its focus on “driving brand consideration and business growth with key market segments”.
Commenting on the appointment, Rebecca Nash, AMP’s Chief People, Sustainability and Community Officer, said: “This is an exciting time for AMP with the upcoming launch of our new digital bank for small businesses, and our new retirement and digital advice solutions for our superannuation members also on the way.
“We’re delighted that someone with Tina’s experience has joined AMP as we take these new offers to market, and as we continue to deliver our strategy to help customers retire with financial confidence.”
◼️ Aware Super has appointed Breckon Jones to the newly created role of Head of Growth, Talent, and Reward.
Jones joins the superannuation fund from iCare NSW, where he served as General Manager of People & Workplace Experience.
In the new role, Jones will be responsible for reward, talent management and acquisition, succession management, performance, learning and capability, employee engagement and people regulatory governance.
Aware Super’s Group Executive of People and Workplace Steve Hill said he was “delighted that someone with Breckon’s skills, experience, attitude and values has chosen to join us.
“I know he will be an invaluable addition to the people & workplace team, the Aware senior leadership team, and the organisation in general.”