BOQ hires new relationship manager for Qld

Having started as a Mortgage Choice franchise owner in 2004, Mr Hase later became a BDM at ING, then held support manager roles at both Refund Home Loans and Connective.

Most recently, Mr Hase was regional manager for Qld/NSW at iConnect Financial – owned by Connective – and a BDM for Connective Home Loans.

He started his new role as BOQ’s relationship manager for Queensland on 9 December.

Mr Hase is the latest new recruit at the bank, following the recent addition of former Loan Market BDM Christopher Emanuel and banking veteran Andrew Watherston, who was appointed as BDM for SA.

Board changes

As well as changes to the third-party team, the bank has also seen several movements at a board level. 

On Tuesday (10 December), the Brisbane-based bank held its annual general meeting, after which director David Willis retired from the board (as previously announced).

BOQ’s new chairman, Patrick Allaway, also noted that director Richard Haire will retire from the board in April 2020, and acknowledged former chair Roger Davis, who is also leaving the bank.

Mr Allaway commented: “I would like to acknowledge the considerable contribution of our outgoing chair, Roger Davis, over his 12 years’ service to BOQ and retiring directors David Willis, who retires at this AGM, and Richard Haire, who retires in April 2020. 

“During their term, BOQ recovered strongly from the post GFC liquidity and credit squeeze and acquired a number of niche business, which now provide a strong foundation for our strategy to return to growth.”

He continued: “With these directors retiring, we will take the opportunity to reduce the size of [the] board and refresh our skills with a focus on enhancing our retail banking, customer insight, digital and data, and transformation skills.”

Mr Allaway also thanked Jon Sutton, who resigned as CEO for health reasons in December 2018, and Anthony Rose, BOQ’s interim CEO, “who provided a smooth leadership transition”.

“We wish them all the best in their future careers,” he said.

At the AGM, Mr Allaway reiterated that the bank had suffered a “disappointing” FY19, but added that the board had “undergone an extensive and independent review” and “reflected on how [it can] improve board performance”.

The new chair added that the board had “balanced [its] important governance and compliance role with an increased strategic and business performance focus”.

He stated: “We will empower and hold management to account for execution of the strategy. 

“We have emphasised the importance of good culture in driving better outcomes for all stakeholders and have agreed to a Code of Conduct – which incorporates our BOQ purpose and values – and sets the tone for leading our organisational behaviour by example.”

Mr Allaway concluded: “I am honoured to be appointed chair of BOQ and relish the opportunity to be a change agent to harness the collective strength of the board and the organisation to transform BOQ and to grow long-term and sustainable shareholder value. 

“[The] board and management take accountability for achieving better outcomes for all our stakeholders.”

[Related: BOQ expands third-party team]