Mr Comyn said the retirement of Anna Lenahan, Group General Counsel and Group Executive Group Corporate Affairs, on 30 June 2019, had given the Bank the opportunity to review the responsibilities of the role.

Mr Comyn said: “With our focus on earning trust and restoring the reputation of the Commonwealth Bank, we have decided to separate the role. In addition to a Group General Counsel and Governance, we are creating the new role of Group Executive Marketing and Corporate Affairs to allow for greater focus on how we engage with our customers, stakeholders, and the broader community. Both roles will report directly to me.”

Following an extensive domestic and global search, Priscilla Sims Brown has been appointed to the role of Group Executive Marketing and Corporate Affairs effective 1 August 2019, subject to regulatory and all other necessary approvals.

Priscilla is currently CEO of Emerge.me, a US start-up digital healthcare platform she joined in 2017. Prior to this, Priscilla was Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer at AXA Financial in the US, where she had responsibility for transforming the end-to-end customer experience, as well as leading global digital marketing initiatives. She has also held executive leadership roles at AmeriHealth Caritas, Sun Life Financial US, and Lincoln National Corporation, with responsibility for leading business units, stakeholder engagement, marketing, corporate affairs, investor relations and business development functions. 

Mr Comyn said: “Priscilla is a seasoned senior executive with extensive investment management, insurance, and financial services experience. In addition to her marketing and corporate affairs expertise, Priscilla has an impressive track record of driving ambitious growth and customer transformation agendas, particularly during challenging periods. 

“Priscilla’s appointment will help us continue the changes and improvements we need to make to earn the trust of our customers and the community and build a better bank for the future. I look forward to welcoming her to my executive team.”

The appointment of the new Group General Counsel and Governance is expected to be made soon. In the interim, David Cohen, Deputy CEO, will also assume the responsibility of Group General Counsel, as well as responsibility for Group Corporate Affairs until Priscilla commences.