Great Southern Bank announces Deborah O’Toole as new Chair

29 August 2024

Great Southern Bank is pleased to announce that Deborah O’Toole will become its new Chair on 7 November.

A current Non-Executive Director of the bank, Ms O’Toole will take over the role from retiring Chair Nigel Ampherlaw following the bank’s Annual General Meeting on 7 November 2024.

Mr Ampherlaw, who became Chair of the bank in 2018, said:

“Deborah brings continuity, passion and commitment to our bank. She has a deep knowledge of Great Southern Bank and of what makes us unique. She believes in the mission of customer-owned banking and, as a seasoned Non-Executive Director with many years’ experience across numerous Boards, has the skills and knowledge to help guide our bank through the next stages of its growth.

“On behalf of my fellow Directors, I’d like to welcome Deb as our Chair elect and wish her every success in her future role as Chair.”

Deborah O’Toole, Chair-elect, said: “I am very honoured to take on this role at Great Southern Bank. The customer-owned banking tradition puts the needs of customers at the heart of everything it does. It’s a vibrant financial alternative that many Australians need now, more than ever.

“I am immensely grateful to Nigel Ampherlaw for his years of service as Chair and the legacy he is leaving. He has helped navigate Great Southern Bank through an unprecedented period of change, growth and challenge. During his tenure as Chairman, Great Southern Bank grew the Group’s assets by almost 40% and, most importantly, we continued to be guided by our mutual values and founding principles of providing fair and affordable finance. He leaves us a stronger, more capable bank that’s focused on supporting our customers and the communities that we serve.”

Deborah O’Toole career summary

• Deb is an executive with more than 30 years’ experience in several large and complex organisations with a strong focus on the finance function.
• Former CFO at Aurizon, Queensland Cotton and MIM Holdings.
• Chairman of Transurban Qld Finance Pty Limited, Non-Executive Director of Sims Limited, Pacific National Rail, and Sydney Airport Corporation Limited.
• Former Non-Executive director of CSIRO, Alumina Limited, Boart Longyear and Boral Limited and a seasoned Chair of numerous Board Committees.
• Graduate of the Harvard Business School’s Advanced Management Program.