AMP Bank MD to join BOQ

The Bank of Queensland (BOQ) has confirmed that AMP Bank MD Rod Finch will be joining the group in April 2021.

Mr Finch, who has been AMP Bank’s managing director since November 2019, will become BOQ’s first director of transformation for the retail bank.

In the newly created role, Mr Finch will be responsible for managing the bank’s digital operations, which are a key point of focus for the non-major’s five-year strategy.

The incoming transformation director has worked in the finance industry for 20 years, having held several senior roles at major banking groups.

Prior to becoming MD of AMP Bank in November 2019 (following the departure of Alex Wade), Mr Finch was MD for AMP’s wealth platforms and product. He also worked as the director for customer transformation at AMP between 2013-15.

Mr Finch has also held several senior positions at Lloyds Banking Group and at Westpac, where he was formerly the head of strategy for retail and business banking, among other positions during his six-year career with the group.

Commenting on Mr Finch’s upcoming departure, an AMP spokesperson said: “Rod is highly regarded at AMP and we wish him all the best for the next stage of his career. 

“The bank has an established and very capable leadership team, so we’re well-placed to continue serving our clients as we secure a replacement.”

As well as hiring Mr Finch, BOQ has also confirmed reports that it will soon welcome a new group executive, retail. 

Westpac’s current chief digital and marketing officer and former RAMS chief executive, Martine Jager, has been named as BOQ’s new group executive for retail banking.

Ms Jager will take over the role from Lyn McGrath, who announced in September her intention to retire.

Ms Jager has worked in the finance space for the past 18 years, with the last decade having been spent with the Westpac Group.

While the new appointee is currently the chief digital and marketing officer (CDMO) at Westpac, she was formerly the CEO of Westpac’s broking franchise, RAMS, and was general manager of mortgage broking for St.George.

Prior to joining Westpac, she held various general manager positions at National Australia Bank, (NAB), including as general manager sales and distribution services, retail banking.

A Westpac spokesperson told Mortgage Business that “no decision” has yet been made on a replacement for their outgoing CDMO, but that the bank will “work closely with her to ensure a smooth handover”.

In other movements at BOQ, the former chief experience officer at BOQ-owned brand Virgin Money Australia, Danielle Keighery, has been made BOQ’s new chief customer officer.

In this role, Ms Keighery will have responsibility for brand, customer advocacy, corporate affairs, government relations and marketing, as well as acting as chief of staff, reporting to CEO George Frazis.

She will also oversee Virgin Money as it ramps up its ambitions to become a new digital bank later this year.

Earlier this month, the lender also announced it had appointed Nicholas Allton as its group general counsel and company secretary, effective 1 February.

[Related: Virgin Money, fintech join hands for neobank app]