Commonwealth Bank CEO Matt Comyn has revealed details of two new appointments to the executive leadership team (ELT), which he says will support CBA to achieve its goals of becoming “a simpler, better bank".
Comyn said, “These two appointments considerably strengthen the capability and capacity of the executive leadership team to provide the leadership and expertise we need to help CBA become a simpler, better bank for our customers and for all of our stakeholders.”
Scott Wharton has been appointed to the new role of group executive, program delivery, following three years working on the bank’s technology upgrades and regulatory operations.
Since 2016, Wharton has led the implementation of APRA’s Prudential Inquiry recommendations around governance, culture and accountability within the institution. According to Comyn, this new role will see him collaborate with the ELT to “manage the interdependencies” of handling risk and simplifying the business.
Prior to joining CBA, Wharton worked for Citigroup in New York and Hong Kong.
He will be joined on the ELT by Carmel Mulhern who was appointed the role of group executive group general counsel and governance, effective January 2020 subject to meeting regulatory requirements.
Mulhern moves to CBA from Telstra, where she headed one of Australia’s largest in-house legal teams. Since joining Telstra in 2000 she has held roles including corporate counsel, general counsel finance and administration, and company secretary.
Mulhern started her career more than 25 years ago at Queensland’s McCullough Robertson and Legal Aid, before becoming a solicitor and senior associate at Mallesons Stephen Jacques and teaching law at Monash University.
Comyn said, “Carmel is a respected leader with extensive legal expertise, a proven track record in risk management, a strong focus on doing what is right for customers, and personal and professional values that are aligned with the culture we are building at the Bank. I am delighted Carmel is joining the executive leadership team.”
