Group Executive Changes
7 December 2009
The Westpac Group Chief Executive Officer, Gail Kelly, today announced a number of internal appointments within her executive team. The new appointments are:
- Peter Hanlon, to the newly created role of Group Executive, People and Transformation
- Rob Coombe, to Group Executive, Westpac Retail & Business Banking
- Brad Cooper, to Chief Executive, BT Financial Group
Mrs Kelly said that this set of changes signalled the start of the new phase of the Westpac Group’s transformation.
“Over the past 18 months, we have greatly improved our Westpac retail and business banking distribution platform, including introducing Westpac Local. We have established a multi-brand business model with the successful merger with St.George, and we have built a strong one-team culture. The next phase of our transformation lies in significantly strengthening our focus on customers, people and productivity,” Mrs Kelly said.
The newly created role of Group Executive, People and Transformation will include the key customer, people and productivity elements of our Transformation program. It also includes Corporate Affairs & Sustainability.
“Peter Hanlon is the ideal choice for this important role, with his broad strategic capability and his deep involvement in the development and implementation of our distribution strategy. Peter has been key to the excellent performance of our Westpac Retail & Business Bank, managing the significant investment and roll out of our local branch and bank manager strategy, and achieving strong growth in cross-sell and market share,” Mrs Kelly said.
Rob Coombe will take up the position of Group Executive, Westpac Retail and Business Banking. Mr Coombe has been Chief Executive, BT Financial Group for five years, during which the BT Financial Group has established leading retail market share and developed sector-leading platforms, including through the addition of Asgard. He has also led the development of BT’s innovative Super for Life product and has driven industry-leading cross-sell levels of wealth and insurance products into The Westpac Group distribution channels.
“In his time at BT, Rob’s customer focus, passion and innovation have driven outstanding results and he will bring these important qualities to his new role. Importantly, his experience at BT will help drive our One Team approach, including through earning all of our customers’ business,” Mrs Kelly said.
“Over the past 18 months, Brad Cooper has successfully led the St.George integration, as well as playing a pivotal role in the design and first phase of our Transformation. With his extensive financial services experience, including as Chief Executive, Westpac New Zealand, and before that as Chairman GE Capital Bank and CEO of GE Money’s UK and Ireland business, Brad is well placed to lead BT Financial Group through the next period.”
Mrs Kelly said she was very pleased to make all three key appointments internally, as a result of the depth and strength of The Westpac Group executive team.
“The appointments being announced today will provide fresh focus and energy to the executive team. Peter, Rob and Brad are seasoned executives who bring deep experience to their new roles.”
The appointments will take effect from 1 February 2010.
