ANZ has welcomed a new group executive for its Australian retail bank, as well as a new group CRO and group CIO.
Australia and New Zealand Banking Group Limited (ANZ) has announced three new senior leadership appointments to the bank’s group executive committee (subject to regulatory approvals), reporting to new CEO Nuno Matos.
Among the new hires is Pedro Rodeia, who will join ANZ as its group executive for Australia retail on 17 November.
Bruce Rush will continue as acting group executive, Australia retail, until Rodeia commences in the role.
The incoming retail head joins ANZ from global management consulting firm McKinsey & Co, where he has been senior partner.
Over his career at McKinsey & Co, Rodeia has also been the former global banking practice co-leader and has worked with global banks for more than 30 years, including Australian banks for the past 15 years.
ANZ noted that he brings “a significant focus on retail banking”, having worked in more than 20 markets to improve customer engagement and retention, reduce complexity, and launch segmented innovative propositions.
The bank has also announced Christine Palmer as its new group chief risk officer (CRO), starting 1 December 2025, replacing Kevin Corbally (who will continue in the role until Palmer commences).
Palmer joins ANZ from Santander UK, where she has served as CRO since 2020.
Prior to this, Palmer held senior risk and leadership roles at Aldermore Group, ING, and Ernst & Young, as well as 14 years at the Royal Bank of Scotland/NatWest, where she held senior roles in enterprise risk management, credit, and non-financial risk.
Meanwhile, Donald Patra will join as group chief information officer (CIO) on 24 November 2025.
Michael Bullock will continue as acting group executive, technology & group services until Patra commences in his role.
Patra moves over to ANZ from HSBC, where he most recently served as chief information officer for the UK and Europe.
He has more than 30 years of international leadership experience across the financial services and technology sectors across the globe and has led significant digital transformation, including modernising core banking platforms, advancing data and AI capabilities, and strengthening operational resilience across highly regulated markets, the bank said.
Commenting on the appointments, ANZ CEO Matos said: “I am very pleased to appoint three world-class executives to these critical roles.
“The deep experience they each bring will ensure ANZ will deliver better outcomes for our customers, further strengthen our risk management capabilities and continue to build best-in-class technology capabilities for our customers and our people.
“I look forward to welcoming them to Melbourne as each of these three experienced leaders commence the crucial role they will play in driving our future growth and performance.”
The appointments come amid an ongoing reshuffle in senior leadership at the bank, including Troy Fedder, who was recently moved into the role of general manager, proprietary lending.
Fedder had been the executive general manager (EGM) for home lending at group subsidiary Suncorp Bank and has extensive experience in the third-party space. Moving forward, he will look after the bank’s direct channel management.
Given his move to the ANZ position, the position of EGM of home lending at Suncorp Bank has now been filled by Dylan Atherton.
Period of change at ANZ Group
The changes in position come amid a period of transformation at ANZ Group under new CEO Matos and follow the acquisition of Suncorp Bank last year.
The banking group made headlines earlier this year when mainstream media reported that the group would be pulling Suncorp Bank products from market next year, with the brand itself targeted to be phased out by the end of 2026.
The Australian reported that “sources inside the bank” had been told that new Suncorp-branded home loans, savings products, and term deposits may be discontinued from offer by May next year at the latest.
The Adviser reached out to ANZ and Suncorp to verify these rumours and was told that the reports are incorrect.
The statement from ANZ said: “Reports in The Australian regarding the future of Suncorp Bank are incorrect.
“A review of our Suncorp Bank integration plans remains underway, and ANZ has made no decisions regarding the future state of Suncorp Bank.”
The rumours of Suncorp Bank’s mothballing came just days after ANZ announced it would be reducing its headcount by around 3,500 employees as part of major reforms to simplify the bank.
While details of the new plans have not yet been revealed (a strategy update is scheduled for 13 October), the bank said that it is making changes to “simplify the bank, strengthen its focus on its priorities, and deliver for its customers”.
More details of the future strategy of ANZ and its different channels are expected on 13 October.
[Related: ANZ refutes Suncorp Bank mothballing rumours]
