Bendigo and Adelaide Bank (Bendigo Bank) has made a suite of new appointments to its executive leadership as the bank looks to enter its next phase of growth and deliver on its transformation program, which has already made considerable progress.

Taso Corolis, formerly the bank’s Chief Risk Officer, has been promoted to Chief Customer Officer, Consumer Banking. Corolis has been with Bendigo Bank since 2008 and will commence his new role on October 7, following a period of leave.

Meanwhile, Sarah Bateson has been promoted to the role of Chief Marketing Officer, heading up a newly formed Brand, Marketing and Communications Division. Bateson brings a wealth of experience in leading marketing and customer teams both in Australia and internationally, and was previously Bendigo Bank’s General Manager of Marketing.

In addition to his current role as CEO of Up, Xavier Shay has been appointed Chief Digital Officer. Shay’s experience in leading high-performing digital teams at Up and as Director of Payments Engineering and Analytics at Square will be instrumental in accelerating the bank’s digital capabilities.

“We have entered the financial year with momentum and growth on our side. This has been made possible by the strong foundations we have created by simplifying, modernising and digitising the Bank,” said CEO and Managing Director, Bendigo and Adelaide Bank, Richard Fennell. “The time is right to accelerate the next phase of our development by continuing to invest in the areas that will help us deliver sustainable growth such as our digital bank Up, the Bendigo Lending Platform and the Business and Agri transformation.”

Fennell also highlighted the progress the bank has made over the last five years in reducing complexity, investing in capability and telling their story. Looking ahead, he emphasised the importance of digital capability in the bank’s future, stating, “Our future will rely on our ability to accelerate our digital capability and deliver improved experiences to acquire, retain and deepen relationships with our customers.”

Bendigo and Adelaide Bank, which employs more than 7,000 staff, is committed to helping its over 2.5 million customers. These changes to the executive team are effective immediately, with the exception of Corolis, which will take effect on October 7.