NAB hires former NSW premier

National Australia Bank Group Chief Executive Officer, Andrew Thorburn, today announced three new appointments to the NAB Group Executive Leadership Team.

The appointments are:

  • Mike Baird, as Chief Customer Officer, Corporate & Institutional Banking
  • Sharon Cook, to the new role of Chief Legal & Commercial Counsel
  • Patrick Wright, as Chief Technology & Operations Officer

“Mike, Sharon and Patrick each bring to NAB exceptional track records of performance and delivery and will help accelerate the execution of our strategy so we can deliver for our customers and our shareholders,” Mr Thorburn said.

“They are also authentic, inspiring and passionate leaders whose values align with NAB’s values and our ambition to be Australia and New Zealand’s most respected bank.”Mr Thorburn added:“Mike started his career with NAB in 1989 and spent 17 years working in corporate and institutional banking roles in Australia and overseas with NAB, Deutsche Bank and HSBC, before entering politics. His time as Treasurer and Premier of New South Wales means he returns to banking and NAB with invaluable experience in leading economic and financial reform to grow the economy. Mike has outstanding leadership and a determination to drive change and make a difference by building relationships with customers and the community”.

“Sharon is a vital addition to the team, bringing more than 25 years’ experience in the legal profession, most recently as a Managing Partner with King & Wood Mallesons. She has extensive experience in the banking and financial sector and is highly regarded for her commercial and strategic approach to complex issues.In a period of significant industry reform and heightened public focuson banking, this is a new and important role on our Executive Leadership Team”.

“Patrick joins NAB from Barclays in the US where he is global Chief Operations & Technology Officer of Barclaycard, leading a team of 15,000 people.He has extensive experience in driving major transformations in large financial services companies and innovating in fast-paced, competitive and highly-regulated markets.As we reshape our business, Patrick will lead our simplification, digitisation and automation agenda to deliver greater efficiency and create a simpler and easier experience for our customers and bankers.”

These appointments follow extensive global searches. All the roles on the NAB ExecutiveLeadership Team are now filled. Subject to regulatory approval, Mike and Sharon will start with NAB in mid-April, and Patrick will commence in mid-May.

Author: Martin North

Martin North is the Principal of Digital Finance Analytics

Leave a Reply