The customer-owned bank has appointed a seasoned executive as its new chair following the departure of longstanding chair Samantha Martin-Williams.
Newcastle Greater Mutual Group – encompassing Greater Bank and Newcastle Permanent – has revealed Darren Turner will be replacing Samantha Martin-Williams as the group's chair in March.
Turner’s past roles have encompassed strategy, governance, and financial risk management, and he currently serves as chair of Hunter Medical Research, while also holding director positions at Varley Group and Phoenix Health Fund.
He also holds a number of senior roles with private, public, and not-for-profit organisations.
The non-executive director will officially commence as chair on 1 March 2026, with Martin-Williams set to wrap up her tenure on 28 February after 13 years of service with the customer-owned bank.
The NGM Group described the retired PwC partner as a “proud Novocastrian” who brings over four decades of experience.
The customer-owned bank said Turner’s extensive work with Greater Bank and Newcastle Permanent, in addition to his “strong connection” with the Hunter Region, provided him with extensive knowledge of NGM’s practices and values.
NGM Group managing director and CEO Bernadette Inglis hailed Turner’s experience working with regional communities and said his understanding of the organisation’s practices would be “invaluable” to the group.
“Darren’s long history with regional communities, strategic capability and understanding of our purpose will be invaluable in guiding us through our next phase of growth as we strengthen our position as Australia’s leading customer-owned bank," she said.
Turner said he was “honoured” to be selected for the role.
"NGM Group has a proud legacy and an exciting future, and I’m looking forward to working with the board and executive team in this new role, to continue to deliver value to our customers and invest in our communities," he said, adding that his predecessor had served with “heart”.
“The impact of her leadership can be seen across the organisation,” he said.
“Taking on this role after Sam is a privilege and I’m committed to carrying forward the standards, value and sense of purpose she has championed.”
Honouring NGM's first female chair
Martin-Williams became the first female director of Newcastle Permanent in 2012 and later moved to NGM Group’s board following the 2023 merger with Greater Bank.
She was then made the organisation’s first-ever female chair in 2024.
The NGM Group managing director and CEO reflected that the group was “well positioned for the future” due to Martin-Williams’ stewardship.
According to the group, the customer-owned lender “grew more than any other mutual bank” and saw “record levels” of investment in technology and innovation under Martin-Williams’ tenure.
Indeed, the mutual banking group’s home loan book rose 7 per cent over the financial year 2025, with a record 12,122 home buyers supported. The bank finished 2025 with a record 635,000 customers and grew its mortgage book by $1.2 billion over the year.
“Sam has played a key role in helping scale NGM Group into the organisation that it is today, applying best practice contemporary governance while ensuring that our purpose and our people have remained front and centre during our evolution,” Inglis said.
Martin-Williams said it had been a “privilege” to serve Newcastle Permanent and NBM Group for over a decade.
“This organisation has gone from strength to strength over the past 13 years and I am incredibly proud to have played a part,” she said.
“Throughout this time, I have seen firsthand in our branches, our contact centres and our corporate offices the dedication and passion of our team, and it is so rewarding to see the positive impact we have made on our customers and communities.”
Martin-Williams said she had “no doubt” NGM Group would continue to grow and thrive under Turner’s leadership, "guided by its customer-first values and focus on supporting regional Australians and their communities".
Appointment comes as company boasts notable achievements
The appointment comes after the group completed a $500 million debt issuance, marking the largest transaction of its kind ever undertaken by an Australian mutual bank.
The issue received orders totalling around $1.14 billion from domestic and international investors, which NGM Group said reflected strong demand and confidence in the group’s strategy and balance sheet.
The issue was priced at a margin of 113 basis points above the three-month BBSW rate.
The funding will support NGM Group’s multibrand growth strategy as it expands its lending portfolio and national presence.
[Related: NGM Group celebrates $500m debt issuance]
