Bendigo and Adelaide Bank switches up executive team

Bendigo and Adelaide Bank has added two new members to its executive team as it continues working through its transformation program under new leadership.

(L-R) Taso Corolis, Sarah Bateson, Richard Fennell and Xavier Shay

On Monday the bank's newly appointed Bendigo and Adelaide Bank CEO and managing director Richard Fennell announced the changes were aimed at backing its growth agenda.

Sarah Bateson and Xavier Shay have all joined the C-suite, effective immediately. Taso Corolis, chief risk officer, will begin his new role on October 7 when he returns from leave.

Speaking on the new executive team changes, Fennell said, “We have entered the financial year with momentum and growth on our side.

“This has been made possible by the strong foundations we have created by simplifying, modernising and digitising the Bank,” Fennell said.

Fennell, who took over from long-time top executive Marnie Baker this past July, said the “time is right” to fast-track the next phase of the bank’s development.

He said this will be achieved by development by “continuing to invest in the areas that will help us deliver sustainable growth such as our digital bank Up, the Bendigo lending platform and the business and agri transformation.”

Corolis has been appointed chief customer officer for consumer banking with a focus on continuing to drive portfolio growth and productivity enhancements for the benefit of the bank’s customers.

Prior to this, Corolis was the chief risk officer for the last six years.

Bateson is the new chief marketing officer to form a new brand, marketing and communications division within Bendigo.

Meanwhile, Shay has been appointed the new chief digital officer in addition to his current role as CEO of Bendigo’s digital bank, Up.

Fennell said, “Over the last five years the Bank has made significant progress in reducing complexity, investing in capability and telling our story,” Fennell said.

“Our future will rely on our ability to accelerate our digital capability and deliver improved experiences to acquire, retain and deepen relationships with our customers,” Fennell concluded.