Lender appoints new CEO - 2016

James Boyle, who was formerly chief operating officer at Liberty, is now heading the company as chief executive officer as part of a move to “enhance its organisational structure”.

Mr Boyle will continue to have responsibility for operations, distribution and strategy across all of Liberty's operational businesses.

As CEO, Mr Boyle will report to the board of Liberty, composed of executive and independent directors. The board is currently chaired by independent director Richard Longes. It also includes Peter Hawkins and Leona Murphy, both of whom are independent, and Sherman Ma, executive director.

Speaking of Mr Boyle's appointment, Mr Longes said: “James has provided distinguished strategic and operational leadership at Liberty for the past 13 years. He is part of an exceptional team that has delivered consistent, strong and profitable growth over that time. 

“In many ways James’ appointment acknowledges the role he has been performing and now is the right time to formally recognise that.”

James Boyle joined the Liberty Group in 2003, after being vice president of the Zurich branch of State Street Corporation. He has over a decade of experience working in Institutional Finance in Sydney, Boston and London providing services to pension plans, insurance companies and mutual funds.

The new Liberty Financial CEO has an MBA from INSEAD Graduate Business School in France, a Master of Applied Finance from Macquarie University, and a Bachelor of Business from the Australian Catholic University.

Liberty also announced last week that Leona Murphy was appointed to the Liberty board. Most recently Ms Murphy was chief strategy officer for IAG Ltd and she is an independent director of Stone & Chalk.

[Related: Non-bank lender appoints new director]