(28 October 2025 – Australia) Westpac is undertaking a major restructure of the business bank to align more closely with an enhanced focus on regional sectors.
After being poached from CBA, new Westpac Business Banking Head Paul Fowler is guiding the opening of three regional service centres in NSW, Victoria and Tasmania in line with Westpac CEO Anthony Miller’s strategic refocus, split across metropolitan and regional areas.
Westpac has promoted Peta Ward to oversee regional, commercial and agribusiness. Ward, based in Toowoomba, has been national general manager for regions and agribusiness since 2022. Megan Rutter, Westpac’s acting chief people officer, is also leaving the bank after 17 years.
Long serving Commercial Managing Director Shane Howell will depart the bank following a 20-year career with the group and successfully expanding commercial lending by over 20 percent. Miller also poached NAB’s Nathan Goonan to become the group’s new CFO.
“Our rural, remote and regional communities in NSW keep getting hit with bad news, like the recent Bendigo Bank agency closures. That one of the ‘Big Four’ is bucking the trend and reinvesting in our non-metro economies is to be applauded” stated Country Mayors Association of NSW Chairman, Mayor Rick Firman.
“Westpac have recognised the vital role regional and rural areas play in the ongoing growth of Australia and Council welcomes the opening of the Regional Service Centre.”