Movers & Shakers

New leadership at Bendigo Bank

Non-major bank Bendigo and Adelaide Bank has announced that its long-serving CEO and managing director Marnie Baker will be replaced by Richard Fennell on 31 August.

Baker has worked at the bank for the past 35 years and has been leading the banking group as its CEO and MD since 2018.
The bank’s board of directors has confirmed that Fennell – Bendigo and Adelaide Bank’s former chief customer officer (CCO) – will succeed Baker after 17 years of service with the bank. Fennell also served as the bank’s chief financial officer for nearly nine years and was chief general manager of group strategy.

Vicki Carter, Bendigo and Adelaide Bank’s chair, said: “Richard has demonstrated his unwavering commitment to the customer by leading the bank’s consumer division through a period of significant change while retaining industry-leading customer advocacy scores.”

Richard Fennell

Resimac CEO steps down

Scott McWilliam has resigned from his position as CEO with Resimac after 21 years of service. Resimac said that it has been mutually agreed that McWilliam will “take a period of leave” before his employment contract formally ends on 1 September 2024.

Non-executive director Susan Hansen has been appointed interim CEO; however, the lender said that it will commence a search for a permanent replacement “imminently”.

McWilliam said: “It has been a great privilege to lead this business and its people, and I thank everyone for their support and friendship over many years. I leave Resimac with so many wonderful and cherished memories.

“I would like to take this opportunity to wish everyone at Resimac the very best and I will watch on with keen and heartfelt interest for all the successes that await Resimac.”

Scott McWilliam

Fintelligence appoints new GM

Michael McEvoy moved into the position of general manager (GM) of Australian Finance Group’s (AFG) asset finance aggregation platform Fintelligence on 30 July 2024.

McEvoy has worked with non-bank Pepper Money for the past 10 years, most recently as its head of sales for asset finance, and has more than 30 years of experience in the financial services industry.

His appointment as GM follows the departure of Chris Slater, who stepped down from the CEO role earlier this year.

AFG CEO David Bailey said that the new GM will focus on product development opportunities “including the potential for white label and manufacturing” and congratulated McEvoy on his appointment to the team.

Michael McEvoy

Nationwise welcomes Adrian Cunningham

Adrian Cunningham has joined Nationwise Group, the parent company of Viking Aggregation, as its inaugural chief customer and information officer.

Cunningham will head the company’s technology roadmap, focusing on technology enablement to provide data insights for Viking’s brokers that will help grow their businesses.

He was most recently the general manager of the insurance arm of Sydney-based brokerage Lending Association and has more than 25 years of experience in the finance industry.

According to Nationwise Group, the new position reflects its commitment to redefining support solutions for brokers and their clients.

Nationwise’s chief operating officer Rob Ryan said: “[Cunningham’s] fintech expertise together, with his dedication to delivering customer insights, will be instrumental in driving our strategic growth initiatives for Viking and for our brokers.”

Adrian Cunningham