In his first week in the Chair’s seat, Bank First staff officially met Simon at a company-wide team meeting. It was a session where we were told we could ‘ask anything’, and we did.

Starting with ‘what’s the biggest difference you’ve noticed from 2022 to today at Bank First?’

‘Back then, we were talking about a lot of things, in terms of deepening our partner relationships and a digital transformation, but there was a lot of work to do to be able to make that change,’ he said.

‘Now that I’m back I can see those foundations are laid and we’ve gone from talking about it, to having clear plans about what we need to do next and being deep into the delivery of those plans.’

What excites you most about returning to Bank First?

Simon said it is the difference Bank First can, and does, make for the people fundamental to the kind of lives we live here in Australia. And how do we do that?

‘By going deep with Members and really understanding everything about their lives. What does it mean to be a nurse? What does it mean to be a teacher? What are the gaps in their lives and how can we help them in meaningful ways?’

He also warned against accepting what others are doing as the roadmap and that we don’t aspire to be a smaller version of a big bank.

‘Do different. Do remarkable. I’m really excited about the future.’