The long‑serving chair of MyState Limited is handing over the reins after a decade of change and a major merger.
MyState Limited (MyState) has revealed that chair and non‑executive director Sandra Birkensleigh will retire from the board on 30 June 2026, drawing to a close 11 years of service at the listed banking group.
Announcing her decision, MyState said Birkensleigh’s time on the board spanned a period of structural change, culminating in the February 2025 merger that brought together Tasmania‑based MyState Bank and Queensland‑based Auswide Bank.
Birkensleigh used her farewell remarks to highlight that she had represented investors in both institutions through that transition.
“It has been an honour to serve both the shareholders of Auswide Bank and the shareholders of the merged group during a transformation period. Following the successful merger between Auswide Bank and MyState in February 2025, the group has significantly progressed the integration program and established strong foundations for future growth and continued success,” she said.
She also stressed that she was stepping away with confidence, pointing to the combined group’s trajectory and leadership bench.
“I retire confident that MyState is well positioned for its next phase as a larger, more diversified financial services group with clear priorities and positive momentum,” Birkensleigh outlined.
“I am confident the business is in very good hands and wish the board, management and employees and shareholders continued success.”
Ex-chair returns to steady the helm
With Birkensleigh set to leave at the end of June, the board has moved to reappoint independent non‑executive director Vaughn Richtor as chair, effective 1 July 2026.
MyState noted that Richtor first joined the board in September 2019 and previously chaired the company from April 2022 through to February 2025, including during the design and execution of the Auswide merger and the development of the current growth plan.
The group said his familiarity with the integration program and its strategic priorities would support continuity of governance.
In his response to the handover, Richtor emphasised both gratitude and stability.
“On behalf of the board, I thank Sandra for her significant contribution and leadership over more than a decade of service. We wish her well for the future,” he said.
He also underlined that he was returning to advance an existing roadmap rather than to rewrite it.
“I look forward to continuing to work with the board and management to build on the strong foundations in place and delivering on our strategy to create long-term value for shareholders,” Richtor said.
The board reiterated that there would be no alteration to the group’s strategic direction or business plans as a result of the chair transition.
MyState Bank has reported a strong first-half 2026 result marked by rising home loan volumes and an overwhelming reliance on broker flows to drive growth.
Across the group, the home loan portfolio reached $12.9 billion in 1H26, edging 0.4 per cent higher on the prior period, while the total loan book rose 1.1 per cent to $13.2 billion.
Since 30 June 2025, the (legacy) MyState home loan portfolio expanded by 3 per cent to $8.4 billion, indicating that the growth pulse had accelerated following the merger.
A key driver has been a surge in new housing activity.
[Related: Home loan surge and brokers power MyState’s 1H26 results]
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