Australian Military Bank announces Alan Bardwell as new Chair of Board

Group Captain John Brooks (Retd) has made the decision to retire as the Chair of the Australian Military Bank Board effective 1 July 2023. John joined Australian Military Bank’s Board of Directors in 2000 and has served as Chair of the Board Since 2018.

As a graduate of the Royal Air Force Staff College and the Australian Defence College, John’s Defence experience has made him a valuable asset to Australian Military Bank, and he has overseen many successful developments that have enabled the Bank to grow to its present size. To ensure a smooth transition John will remain on the Australian Military Bank Board until the end of 2023.

The Australian Military Bank is pleased to announce that the Board has appointed Alan Bardwell as the new Chair.

Alan has been a non-executive director of the Australian Military Bank Board and Chair of the Board Risk Committee since April 2019. In December 2019, Alan was appointed Deputy Chair of the Board.

Taking up the position of Chair, Alan will take on the overall leadership of the Board, including Board and Bank governance, working with CEO Darlene Mattiske-Wood on shaping the Bank in line with its strategic plan.

Alan is a Member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants, Senior Fellow of FINSIA, and Graduate of the AICD, with over 40 years’ experience in the banking, finance and securities industry. His executive career includes 16 years at Citigroup and 10 years with the Australian Securities Exchange where he was Chief Financial Officer and then Chief Risk Officer, and he has extensive knowledge of retail, corporate and investment banking. He also has extensive nonexecutive director experience including prior roles as Chair of a Mutual private health insurer and a community bank. His time as Deputy Chair of the Australian Military Bank Board demonstrates his continued commitment to the sustainability of the Bank.

As both a Board Director and particularly as Chair, John has adeptly led the Bank through some challenging times, and he always focused on what’s best for members. I am honoured to be assuming the role of Chair from John and I’m committed to continuing his work to build a sustainable bank that grows because it really looks after its members.

Alan Bardwell, Australian Military Bank New Chair

I'd like to take this opportunity to congratulate Alan Bardwell on his appointment as Chair of the Board for Australian Military Bank. Having worked closely with Alan over the last three years I am confident he will continue to lead the Board in serving the bank in the best interests of our members. On behalf of the staff, the leadership and board, and our members, I would like to take this opportunity to thank John Brooks for his dedicated service to Australian Military Bank over the past 23 years. John has been instrumental in supporting changes that have been key to the Banks ongoing success since my appointment in 2020. I look forward to continuing to work with John for the rest of 2023 and wish him all the very best in his next chapter. Darlene Mattiske-Wood, Australian Military Bank CEO

About Australian Military Bank

Australian Military Bank is a member-owned Mutual bank that has been helping Australian Defence personnel and their families make the most of their money since 1959. As Australia’s longest serving Defence financial institution, Australian Military Bank specialises in service and products that integrate into the unique aspects of life in the armed services.

As a mutual organisation, Australian Military Bank is run for the benefit of members who are also our shareholders.

Australian Military Bank Timeline

1959: Founded as the Navy (Civil Staff) Co-op. Ltd.

1971: Membership extended to civilian employees of the Army and RAAF in NSW

1983: We merge with Army Defence (NSW) Credit Union and rebrand as Australian Defence Credit Union (ADCU)

2008: Selected by Department of Defence as one of three DHOAS home loan providers

2009: Celebrated our 50th Anniversary

2014: Achieved in excess of $1 billion funds under management

2015: Rebranded to Australian Military Bank

2015: Military Reward Account launched and partner charities appointed

2018: Digital transformation begins

2019: Selected as First Home Loan Deposit Scheme provider

2020: Military Rewards Account hits $200,000 in donations

2021: Became a Gold Pledge Partner with Soldier On

2022: Two-year extension granted for DHOAS.

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