Commonwealth Bank of Australia (CBA) is set to welcome a revamped executive leadership team following the departure of two senior executives next year.
In a statement to the ASX on Wednesday, CBA chief executive Matt Comyn explained the bank’s chief risk officer, Nigel Williams, and group executive for human resources, Sian Lewis, are set to retire in February 2025.
“With two members of CBA’s executive leadership team indicating their decision to retire from CBA in 2025, we have taken the opportunity to make changes to the team as part of the long-term, consistent execution of our strategy,” he said.
“These changes provide both continuity and renewal, balancing experience and external perspectives.”
The refreshed leadership will comprise internal promotions as well as external appointments, the bank indicated.
Chief risk officer Williams, who will remain a director of ASB, the group’s New Zealand banking and funds management businesses, will be succeeded by the bank’s group executive for institutional banking and markets, Andrew Hinchliff.
Sinead Taylor, CBA’s chief operations officer, has been named group executive for institutional banking and markets, taking the helm from Hinchliff.
Her former role of chief operations officer will be taken up by former HSBC executive Emma Bunnell, subject to regulatory approval.
Additionally, outgoing group executive for human resources Sian Lewis will be succeeded by former Ford Motor Company executive Kiersten Robinson as chief people officer, subject to regulatory approval.
CBA chief executive Comyn said the appointments will deliver a strong mix of banking, risk management, operational and customer focus for the future.
“I would like to thank Nigel and Sian who have both been highly valued members of CBA’s executive leadership team since 2018. I am extremely grateful for the significant contribution they have made to CBA during their respective tenures and for the support and guidance they have provided to me personally,” Comyn said.
“Nigel joined CBA at a very difficult time for the organisation and his experience and judgement was invaluable to me and the board.
“I have worked with Sian for more than 10 years and have appreciated her counsel and support as we have shaped our workforce for the future.
“On behalf of the Commonwealth Bank, I thank them both for their dedication, loyalty and service to CBA and wish them well for the future.”
He also noted new additions Robinson and Bunnell, who will be relocating to Australia, will bring “relevant and diverse global experience” to the big four bank.
From 17 February 2025, the full CBA leadership team will comprise:
- Emma Bunnell, chief operations officer
- Alan Docherty, chief financial officer
- Andrew Hinchliff, group chief risk officer
- Monique Macleod, group executive marketing and corporate affairs
- Stuart Munro, group executive group strategy
- Gavin Munroe, group chief information officer
- Karen O’Flynn, group general counsel
- Kiersten Robinson, chief people officer
- Vittoria Shortt, chief executive ASB
- Angus Sullivan, group executive retail banking services
- Sinead Taylor, group executive institutional banking and markets
- Mike Vacy-Lyle, group executive business banking
“I look forward to working with this team and continuing to execute our ambitious strategy to better serve our customers, the community and the country,” Comyn said.
