Westpac appoints new COO

Scott Collary will lead Westpac’s new group operating office, which brings together group operations and group technology. He joins Westpac from Bank of Montreal in Canada, where he has held the role of chief information and operations officer for its North American personal and business banking, private wealth, and global asset management divisions. Mr Collary has also held senior positions at ANZ and Citigroup.

“I’m delighted to welcome an executive of Scott’s calibre to the Westpac team,” said CEO Peter King. “Scott has extensive experience working in senior financial services roles leading large global teams. He has a proven track record of delivering large-scale transformation programs at major international banks that improve operating and technology performance.”

Group executive Gary Thursby has also decided to leave the bank early next year.

“I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my time at Westpac over the past 13 years,” Mr Thursby said. “Having helped Peter and the organisation through a significant year of change, I decided that this is the right time to leave the group.”

More to come.