Our Board of Directors are directly accountable to all customers as owners of bankmecu.
bankmecu customers elect Directors to the Board. From time to time the Board may also appoint independent Directors who bring specific specialist knowledge, skills and experience to the Board when Directors believe this will assist the Board best meet its responsibilities.
John Baistow
Key achievements as a Director which have benefited customers
Taking a lead role in delivering our strategic mergers, from Sirocredit to Members Australia to bankmecu, which have given us the scale and scope to improve the services and products we provide to our expanded customer base and communities. Our customer value proposition is now one of the best in Australia and a distinct improvement over the major banks.
What I enjoy about being a bankmecu Director
Integrating the big picture issues for our customer owned bank with the service we provide to our customers. Our Directors are proactive in positioning bankmecu within the financial sector to differentiate us as Australia’s first customer owned bank whilst at the same time, improving our service efficiency. This provides our springboard to effectiveness - using our financial strength and brand to provide customer benefits.
Professional background
I have been involved with the Board of bankmecu and its predecessors for over 20 years, and was appointed as Chairman in 2011. Most of my executive career was with CSIRO where I was a Senior Executive and have served as a Director of Cuscal Limited, the major wholesale service provider to Australian credit unions, for three terms and as Chair of the Credit Union Foundation of Australia for two terms.
What I enjoy in life
I like being busy. Along with our family of four children and my work with bankmecu,, I make time to keep fit and participate in sport. I am an enthusiastic golfer and enjoy supporting our childrens sporting endeavours as well as the Sydney Swans.
Back to top
Helen Clarke
Key achievements as a Director which have benefited customers
In 2003 following the merger between Education Credit Union and Members Australia I was appointed to the bankmecu Board and was subsequently elected by customers. In 2006 I was appointed as Deputy Chair. I have worked with the Board, management and staff to develop a successful regional and national organisation while remaining true to our mutual principals. bankmecu has developed into a leading organisation in the field of financial services, sustainable development and social responsibility.
What I enjoy about being a bankmecu Director
I enjoy being part of a team responsible for developing strategy for the delivery of outstanding and innovative financial services to our customers. bankmecu is a leader in sustainability reporting which means we measure our contribution to our customers and staff as well as our environmental footprint. I enjoy the stewardship role of being a director especially given the rich history of our organisation.
Professional background
I have worked in the public sector in various positions - originally a teacher I have worked in education as a curriculum consultant and policy adviser. My current role is a senior manager with the Victorian Department of Education and Early Childhood Development. Previous roles include public health, health promotion and governance in the public sector.
What I enjoy in life
My interests are broad and include travel, gardening and cooking, reading, public affairs, pets and sport, including partaking in the occasional game of tennis and golf.
Back to top
Peter Ford
Key achievements as a director which have benefited customers
I have been involved with credit unions and member organisations most of my working life, having been first elected to the Ed Credit Board in 1984. I resigned in 1991 to work for the peak body, the Victorian Credit Co-operatives Association, which later became a national body, Credit Union Services Corporation [Australia] Ltd (CUSCAL). As Regional General Manager I got the opportunity to work with credit unions throughout SA, WA, TAS, and Victoria, helping them with their strategic planning, regulatory and legislative issues.
What I enjoy about being a bankmecu director
I have a strong, personal commitment to co-operative principles and believe that customer owned banks are still our best kept secret! I have had a close involvement in our Sustainability program and am delighted by the success of our initiatives which really define our responsible banking difference.
Professional Background
Prior to this, I spent 10 years with the Victorian Secondary Teachers Association, the last few as Acting Secretary, having spent the previous 10 years as a state school secondary teacher. I am also currently Chairman of the Victorian Consumer Credit Fund Ministerial Advisory Committee.
What I enjoy in life
Living in the Dandenongs, I am an avid gardener, voracious reader, barrack for the Swans, play some really bad golf and like nothing better than a day in the Yarra Valley. I am married to Amanda and have two adult children, Alana and Patrick, a blue roan cocker spaniel and am thoroughly enjoying our four young grandsons who have added a whole new dimension to our life.
Back to top
Geoff Russell
Key achievements as a director which have benefited customers
In my time as a Director, our Credit Union has merged three times, most recently with bankmecu. All have been the result of our long term strategic plan. My role on each occasion has been as Chairman, and it has been most rewarding to lead the board through the process, which has in each case, delivered the planned substantial customer benefit in terms of a wider product and service range, together with reduced costs.
What I enjoy about being a bankmecu director
Being able to make a positive difference for our customers. This is achieved by providing a full range of products and services, which results in consistent levels of customer satisfaction well above 90%. I also very much appreciate the commitment, skills, education and abilities of my fellow directors, who are all from diverse backgrounds, which I believe further strengthens our strategic decision making process.
I also enjoy the fact that bankmecu has an extremely sound governance and management structure in place to embrace a challenging future, and is seen as a leader in the mutual sector not only on financial performance, but also very importantly as a socially responsible institution.
Professional Background
My working life has spanned two quite diverse areas, which has encompassed the corporate world as well as the human service delivery sector. On all occasions I have worked at executive management level, and in many cases it has involved developing and implementing a required change process. I have tertiary qualifications in Sociology, Business Administration and Financial Services.
My current work is an organisational consultant to the human service sector throughout regional Victoria, which together with my role as a bankmecu director keeps me stimulated and active.
What I enjoy in life
Being with my family, and keeping fit and healthy.
I also wish that my golf clubs would work better for me, but I enjoy the social contact whenever I get to play! Desley, my wife and I also really enjoy ballroom dancing on a weekly basis, but not quite to the level of the current television programs.
Back to top
Peter Taylor
Key achievements as a director which have benefited customers
I first joined the SEC Credit Union in 1974 (later known as Enterprise Credit Union) and for a number of years was a member of the Audit Supervisory Committee. I was elected to the Board in 1991.
I have been a bankmecu Director since its inception and was previously a Director of Members Australia Credit Union, and Chairman and Director of Enterprise Credit Union. I played a pivotal role in the merger to create Members Australia Credit Union and the more recent merger with Education Credit Union to form bankmecu.
What I enjoy about being a bankmecu director
The challenges associated with the mergers and working with management to achieve successful outcomes has been exciting and rewarding.
I have enjoyed my involvement in the development of policies and strategies for growth and service to customers. Areas of particular interest are Corporate Governance and Audit & Risk Management.
Professional background
I joined the State Electricity Commission of Victoria (SECV) in 1963 and gained experience in a broad range of multi-functional activities focusing mainly on Finance and Audit.
With the break-up of the SECV I accepted redundancy in 1990 after 28 years, having reached the position of Principal Auditor, Internal Audit Department.
During the period with the SECV, I studied part-time and completed studies in Accountancy, a Company Secretaries course and an Economics degree.
After leaving the SECV, I established my own company, providing Contract Administration audits to major corporates.
What I enjoy in life
My wife, Joy and I have four children who have all completed tertiary studies. Music has been a large part of my life, and as a French Hornist, I have travelled to many countries performing in some of Europe's famous Cathedrals and concert halls.
I am currently President and Principal French Hornist of the Heidelberg Symphony Orchestra. Heidelberg Symphony is widely recognised as one of Melbourne's most acclaimed, non-professional orchestras and in recent years, I have been involved in the organisation of two European tours.
Back to top
Ron Dixon
Key achievements as a Director which have benefited customers
I was appointed to the Board of Unicredit in 2007 having had experience in both executive and directorship roles within the credit union movement for a period of 25 years. I regard the successful merger of Unicredit and bankmecu as a key achievement that will lead to significant benefits for the customers.
What I enjoy about being a bankmecu Director
Being a Director of bankmecu will allow me to pursue the ideals of customer owned banking, namely the delivery of products and services which will enhance the financial well being of the customers. I enjoy the uniqueness of the commitment to sustainability which places bankmecu at the forefront of responsible banking.
Professional background
My career background is in the financial services, technology and retail industries. My professional qualifications are Certified Practising Accountant and Chartered Secretary.
What I enjoy in life
I enjoy my community involvement through Rotary as well as regular rounds of golf and fishing. I am married to Gerry and have 2 adult sons. Our family regularly picnic on Sundays at Bongaree and we particularly enjoy watching our 4 young granddaughters playing on the sandy foreshore of Pumicestone Passage.
Back to top
Managing Director - Damien Walsh
Damien was appointed to Managing Director effective 1 September 2011 after serving as General Manager of Corporate Services for 8 years and also holding the position of Company Secretary. Damien has a total of 23 years experience in the mutual banking sector.
Damien is a Fellow of CPA Australia, a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and holds a Business Degree and a Masters in Business Administration.
Damien has worked primarily in the financial services sector having spent time in Enterprise, Esso Employees, Outlook and Members Australia Credit Unions.
Damien is responsible for and manages bankmecu's group operations and Human Resources. Damien works with the Board in setting group strategy, monitoring group performance and budget, and in ensuring all prudential, legal and compliance matters for bankmecu are properly adhered to.
During his time with bankmecu Damien has been instrumental in shaping bankmecu's response to sustainable development, a highlight was presenting at the 2005 UNEP FI Global Roundtable at the United Nations, New York.
Back to top