Former bank CEO joins AMP board

Michael (Mike) Hirst, who was CEO and managing director of Bendigo and Adelaide Bank from 2009 to 2018, will join the AMP Ltd board as an independent, non-executive director, effective 1 July 2021.

Mr Hirst has more than 40 years in board and senior executive leadership roles in retail banking, treasury, funds management and financial markets, and is currently chairman of Butn, a fintech focused on SME business lending.

He is also currently a non-executive director of ASX-listed investment company AMCIL Ltd and private health insurer GMHBA Ltd.

As well as previously holding senior roles at Bendigo and Adelaide Bank, Mr Hirst has held executive roles with Colonial Ltd, as well as positions at Westpac Banking Corp and Chase AMP Bank.

Speaking of the new appointment, AMP chair Debra Hazelton commented: “Mike is a respected business leader who will bring significant breadth of experience and insight to the AMP board.

“As the CEO of Bendigo and Adelaide Bank, Mike led and grew the business in a highly challenging and competitive environment with a clear focus on people and clients.

“His detailed knowledge of Australia’s retail banking and wealth environment, as well as his broad sector experience as a non-executive director, including innovative fintech start-ups and across government, will be invaluable.”  

As well as banking experience, Mr Hirst has also previously served as deputy chairman of the Treasury Corporation of Victoria and previously held non-executive directorships with Austraclear Ltd and Barwon Health Ltd.

He was a commissioner on the federal government’s National COVID-19 Commission Advisory Board, a member of the federal government’s Financial Sector Advisory Council and was deputy chairman of the Australian Bankers Association.

Mr Hirst is a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, a senior fellow of FINSIA and an honorary member of the Business Council of Australia.

[Related: Former bank MD joins economic recovery taskforce]