Our Executives

Mike Hirst joined Bendigo Bank in 2001 to establish the Wealth Management business. He then ran the bank’s Strategy and Solutions areas before taking on the role of Chief Operating Officer.

He then became Chief Executive, Retail Bank and was responsible for the retail and distribution network, treasury and all retail product areas of the bank.

In July 2009, Mike took over as Managing Director of Bendigo and Adelaide Bank.

Prior to joining the bank, Mike spent more than two decades working in senior executive and management positions with leading Australian financial institutions.

Russell Jenkins started at the then Bendigo Building Society in 1992 as Assistant General Manager Corporate Services. In 1994, he was appointed Chief Manager in charge of Group Planning and Development.

In 1998, Russell headed the introduction and subsequent roll-out of the Community Bank® concept, with branch numbers growing to more than 230 under his guidance.

Russell has worked in a variety of roles including Chief General Manager of Retail and Distribution and now heads up the Group’s Customer and Community arm.

Marnie Baker joined the then Bendigo Building Society in 1989 and was elevated to the executive in 2000.

During this time Marnie has held a number of senior positions within Treasury, Structured Finance, Capital Planning and Balance Sheet Management.

Marnie has been Chief General Manager Solutions and was also the Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director of Sandhurst Trustees Ltd, Executive Director of Bendigo Financial Planning Ltd, Victorian Securities Corporation Ltd and Oxford Funding Pty Ltd and is a Director of Australian Friendly Society Ltd.

Dennis Bice joined the former Eaglehawk Star Building Society in 1975 and has spent more than 35 years focussing on retail banking.

He has a keen understanding of our customers and their needs and has been involved with some of the group’s key mergers and acquisitions, including IOOF, First Australian Building Society and Adelaide Bank.

Dennis’ most recent role as Chief Manager Retail and Distribution saw him oversee the bank’s retail strategy and his new role leading Retail sees him focus on the national retail network, specialised lending and agencies.

John Billington joined Bendigo and Adelaide Bank in 2010 and has more than 20 years experience in the banking and finance sector.

Prior to joining the bank, John was General Manager of IOOF Portfolio Solutions and a Principal Consultant at Phoenix Consulting.

John currently oversees Bendigo Wealth.

Stella Thredgold joined the Cooperative Building Society in 1987. Holding a Bachelor of Business in Accountancy, she held various senior positions in finance and accounting until 1999.

Since then she has held a number of senior roles in the Bank including Access and Payment Systems, Strategic Sourcing and Properties.

Stella is now responsible for the Bank’s Corporate Resources division.

Andrew Watts joined Bendigo Building Society in 1994, just prior to bank conversion in 1995. Andrew holds a Bachelor of Engineering and Graduate Diploma of Business Administration.

He has held a number of management roles within the bank’s Marketing, Retail and IT business units. Some of his roles have included Senior Manager of Direct Banking and Remote Banking, Chief Manager Network Development and planning, Chief Manager – Northern Australia and Strategic Partnership Research and Analysis.

Andrew is now heading up the newly formed Change arm of the business.

Tim Piper joined Adelaide Bank in 2005 as the General Manager of Credit Risk. He spent a short time leading the Shared Services division and was responsible for wholesale mortgages as Chief General Manager, Wholesale Mortgages.

Tim’s career in finance spans nearly 30 years during which time he has had direct experience with most facets of banking, from personal finance, through to middle and large commercial lending and credit risk.

Tim is now in charge of Risk for the business.

Richard Fennell joined Adelaide Bank in 2007 after an 18 year career in finance and consulting, including roles as partner with PricewaterhouseCoopers in Australia and Hong Kong and as an executive with IBM’s Business Consulting Services.

Richard has led the strategy function at the bank with responsibility for mergers and acquisitions, strategic projects, the program management office and the integration of the Bendigo and Adelaide Bank business.

Richard is now responsible for Finance and Treasury.