NAB welcomes new leadership team member

Ms White enters the National Australia Bank (NAB) executive leadership team following five years as chief of staff to the NAB group chief executive.

Ms White has been part of the major bank for 30 years and carries a deep understanding of the company, its culture, and people, the bank stated.

Prior to her chief of staff role, Ms White was executive general manager, talent and leadership, along with a number of executive roles in the people and culture division during her three-decade tenure with the bank where she was responsible for the design, development, and execution of NAB’s talent management and leadership strategies.

In addition, Ms White has experience in business partnering, coaching executives, and senior leaders, leading complex change and business transformation.

Ms White will commence with her new role effective 18 August 2023.

NAB group CEO Ross McEwan said: “I’m delighted to appoint Sarah to this role. She is a proven leader, cares deeply about her colleagues and is highly respected right across NAB.

“Sarah understands what is required to create a culture that supports our colleagues to be their best and to serve our customers incredibly well.”

This appointment followed the announcement of group executive people and culture Susan Ferrier’s retirement as of 31 October 2023.

Ms Ferrier joined the major bank in 2019 from KPMG, as global head of people, with an international human resources career stretching more than three decades across professional and financial services.

Mr McEwan said Ms Ferrier led her team through a significant increase in capability and impact during close to four years with NAB.

“I am grateful to Susan for the outstanding role she played in leading the company’s response to the pandemic,” he said.

“Susan has contributed towards our ambition to drive a high-performance culture at NAB.

“She has been passionate about our professionalism and consistent approach to supporting customers and colleagues.”

After her retirement, Ms Ferrier intends to move into non-executive director roles. She is currently a director for the Financial Executives Institute of Australia, Committee for Sydney, and the Sydney Symphony Orchestra.

The announcement of Ms Ferrier’s retirement followed the appointment of Alison Kitchen as an independent non-executive director with the major bank as of 27 September 2023.

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