The retirement of Anna Lenahan, group general counsel and executive group corporate affairs, has given the bank the opportunity to review the responsibilities of the role.
CBA chief executive Matt Comyn said in a statement that the bank had made a choice to separate the role to enable them to focus on earning trust and restoring the bank’s reputation.
“In addition to a group general counsel and governance, we are creating the new role of group executive marketing and corporate affairs to allow for greater focus on how we engage with our customers, stakeholders, and the broader community. Both roles will report directly to me.”
Following a global search, Priscilla Sims Brown has been appointed to the role of group executive marketing and corporate affairs, effective from August.
Ms Brown is currently chief executive of Emerge.me a US start-up digital healthcare platform, prior to which she was a senior vice president and chief marketing officer at AXA Financial in the US.
“Priscilla is a seasoned senior executive with extensive investment management, insurance and financial services experience. In addition to her marketing and corporate affairs expertise, Priscilla has an impressive track record of driving ambitious growth and customer transformation agendas, particularly during challenging periods.
“Priscilla’s appointment will help us continue the changes and improvements we need to make to earn the trust of our customers and the community and build a better bank for the future. I look forward to welcoming her to my executive team,” said Mr Comyn.
The appointment of the new group general counsel and governance is expected to be made soon, but in the interim, David Cohen, deputy chief executive, will assume the responsibility.
