Westpac Group Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Brian Hartzer, today announced that Westpac Group Chief Information Officer (CIO), Dave Curran, has decided to retire from Westpac at the end of January 2019. Following a global search, Craig Bright has been appointed as CIO, Westpac Group.

Mr Curran has led the Group’s technology function since 2014 and has been instrumental in resetting and reshaping Westpac’s digital transformation. Mr Hartzer thanked Mr Curran for the pivotal role he has played in leading the Group’s technology function during the past four years.

“Since joining Westpac in 2014, Dave has led a fundamental step change in advancing Westpac’s technology capabilities, helping us to continue to improve the customer experience while simultaneously improving productivity and risk management.

“This has included the implementation of a number of major transformation projects, such as the Group’s Customer Service Hub, which is already in pilot and an infrastructure and operations initiative that includes moving Westpac’s technology capabilities to the cloud.

“Importantly, under Dave’s leadership, the stability and efficiency of our underlying technology infrastructure has been materially strengthened, which has reduced outages and improved cyber security.

“Dave has also positively influenced the Group’s culture and way of working. This has included the introduction of agile methodologies, with 40% of project resources now agile, and an annual event in which hundreds of technologists visit frontline bankers to fix technology issues.

“Dave has also been a passionate advocate for addressing the skills shortage in technology, regularly speaking about the need for constant reskilling. He has also been vocal in addressing the gender balance issues in the technology industry, advocating for the importance of both young women and men pursuing a career in STEM.

“On behalf of Westpac, I would like to personally thank Dave for his counsel and strategic insight, which has helped us to establish clear roadmaps for our long-term digital transformation.”

Mr Curran will continue to work with Westpac in a variety of ways, including remaining on the Board of the Westpac Bicentennial Foundation, a $100 million scholarship fund with an exclusive focus on Australian education and leadership.

Mr Hartzer said Mr Bright brings to Westpac exceptional leadership skills and well-recognised expertise in leading technology functions for large, complex, multi-country banking operations.

“Craig is a highly respected global business and technology leader, with more than 30 years’ experience in technology and financial services. He is a well-rounded executive, with both a consulting background and deep global banking experience across various banks in strategic and operational leadership roles.