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The chief executive officer of Australia’s largest credit union is to step down from his role this year, with the lender announcing that it will undertake an “extensive search” for his successor over the coming months.
Credit Union Australia (CUA) has announced that Brisbane-based chief executive officer Rob Goudswaard will step down from his role later this year, after electing not to extend his five-year contract in order to spend more time closer to his home base of Melbourne.
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Further details about the transition to a new CEO, including the time frame for Mr Goudswaard’s departure and the appointment of his successor, are yet to be finalised and will reportedly be “communicated in the coming months”.
Mr Goudswaard, who joined CUA in February 2015, will continue as CEO while “an extensive search” is undertaken over the coming months for either an internal or external successor, according to CUA chairman Nigel Ampherlaw.
“Since joining CUA in February 2015, Rob has led CUA through a transformative period of member growth, digital innovation and industry change, which has strengthened the mutual sector,” Mr Ampherlaw said.
According to CUA, Mr Goudswaard was at the forefront of CUA’s “cultural transformation” initiative and had “spearheaded” CUA’s focus on digital banking.
Since joining the mutual lender, Mr Goudswaard has seen CUA grow its member numbers to record levels and reach new benchmarks in lending with over $13 billion in loans under management, and retail deposits that now exceed $10 billion.
He also noted that the outgoing CEO had participated in industry-wide government and stakeholder advocacy around the Hammond Review, which resulted in legislation being passed to deliver new capital raising options to increase the agility and competitiveness of mutual lenders.
“Rob will be leaving CUA in a much better place than when he joined us. He’s set us on a journey to not only become a stronger and more member-focused credit union, but for CUA to build on the trust that will enable us to continue to challenge other larger banks into the future.”
Mr Ampherlaw continued: “The board appreciates that after nearly five years in Brisbane, and close to a decade living in multiple cities, Rob is looking to pursue new opportunities that will allow him to spend more time closer to his home base of Melbourne.
“I’d like to personally acknowledge and thank Rob for his commitment to CUA and for his support of the board. His drive and passion for providing the best possible member experience, and his ambition to position CUA for the future, are unrivalled,” Mr Ampherlaw said.
[Related: CUA reports 79% growth in new loans as profit slips]
