A customer-owned bank has announced a big four general manager will take over as CEO in the next few months.
Newcastle Permanent's current CEO, Terry Millett, announced in July he would be stepping down in order to "pass the baton".
The board of directors has today revealed that Westpac's group general manager of retail and premium bank, Bernadette Inglis, has been appointed to the role.
Chair of the Newcastle Permanent board, Jeff Eather, said, “With a track record of delivering business growth and value for customers, Bernadette also has many academic and business achievements, including receiving the Business Woman of the Year Award from the Queensland Business Review.
“As a well-respected and talented business leader, Bernadette shares the values underpinning Newcastle Permanent and its role as a customer-owned financial institution. During the recruitment process, the Board was impressed by Bernadette’s resolute focus on the core elements of our mission, namely our customers, our people and our community.
“The board is absolutely delighted to appoint a new CEO with such strong customer, community and people-orientated values, and we enthusiastically welcome Bernadette to the position, looking forward to working closely with her to continue Newcastle Permanent’s strong performance.
“We would also like to take the opportunity to thank Terry Millett for his dedication to Newcastle Permanent’s core values throughout his decade tenure as CEO. He has consistently shown an enthusiastic and collaborative approach to leadership and commitment to supporting the community."
Acting CEO Mark Williams will continue in the role until Bernadette takes the helm in the coming months.
Bernadette said her appointment as CEO was an exciting opportunity.
“Newcastle Permanent maintains one of the best reputations in the financial services industry for the quality of its services and the culture within the organisation," she said.
“I’m honoured that the board of directors has recognised in me the skills and values to lead Newcastle Permanent’s impressive team, and I’m confident that I can contribute senior leadership and guidance to continue the market leadership and ongoing evolution of the business."
