NAB names new CEO to succeed Ross McEwan

The board of directors of National Australia Bank (NAB) has appointed Andrew Irvine (main image) to succeed Ross McEwan as group chief executive officer and managing director, with effect from 2 April this year.

Irvine has worked as NAB’s group executive, business and private banking, since 2020.

Prior to joining NAB, he spent 12 years at Canadian financial institution Bank of Montreal, latterly as head of Canadian business banking.

In his new role, Irvine will assume the position of Australian Banking Association chair from McEwan on behalf of NAB, which accepted chair bank responsibilities for two years from December 2023.

“Andrew is well suited to take NAB into its next chapter of growth and performance for our customers, colleagues and the communities we serve,” said Philip Chronican, chair of NAB.

“The customer is front and centre for Andrew. He has lifted our business and private banking performance and been a tireless advocate for the agricultural sector, small business and First Nations business,” Chronican added.

Irvine said he is excited at the prospect of leading NAB, which he described as “a bank that is core to the financial needs of so many Australians and New Zealanders”.

“I have learned a great deal from Ross during his time as CEO. NAB is on the right trajectory to being a better bank and I will work with my colleagues to continue executing our strategic ambitions,” he added.

McEwan is stepping down from executive roles to retire, having joined NAB in 2019.

In October last year, Australian Payments Plus launched digital identity solution ConnectID, which is available to customers of Commonwealth Bank of Australia (CBA) and NAB.