Richard Deutsch appointed as non-executive director

Bendigo and Adelaide Bank Limited (ASX: BEN) has appointed Richard Deutsch as a non-executive director effective 20 September 2021.

Richard brings extensive experience delivering complex audit and advisory services to Australia's leading public, private, government and not-for-profit organisations having most recently served as CEO of Deloitte Australia.

At Deloitte Australia, Richard was the Managing Partner of the Audit & Advisory Practice and a member of the Global Audit & Advisory Leadership Team. Richard's career also includes more than 25 years working with PwC, including nine years on PwC's Australian executive.

Richard is passionate about supporting organisations that have a positive impact in the community. He is a former Chairman of OzHarvest and a former Director of Adara Group, a charitable organisation focusing on international development in emerging economies. His former directorships also include serving as President and Chairman of the Institute of Chartered Accountants Australia (now Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand) and Director of SCEGGS Darlinghurst. Richard has also been a member of the Male Champions of Change, Australian Climate Leaders Coalition and the Business Council of Australia.

Richard holds a bachelor's degree in economics from the University of Sydney and is a Fellow of the Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (FCA). His appointment is subject to satisfactory completion of regulatory checks and registrations.

Current non-executive directors Robert Hubbard and Tony Robinson have announced they will retire from the Bendigo and Adelaide Bank Board at the Bank's annual general meeting on 9 November 2021. Richard will replace Robert Hubbard as Chair of the Board Audit Committee upon Robert's departure.

The Bank's Chair, Jacqueline Hey welcomed Mr Deutsch to the Board: "Richard's deep audit and advisory experience will bring significant weight to both our board and board audit committees. Richard’s commitment to strengthening community and social justice also strongly aligns with our Bank's values, longstanding purpose and vision to be Australia’s bank of choice."

Mr Deutsch said, "It is an honour to be joining the Bendigo and Adelaide Bank Board. I am strongly aligned to the organisation's sense of purpose and community."

Ms Hey also paid tribute to the Bank’s outgoing directors: "I want to thank both Rob and Tony for their significant contributions to our Board and Bank. Their strategic input has seen our company to where it is today: serving more than 2 million customers as Australia’s better big bank and continuing to invest in the vibrancy of the communities in which we operate."

Robert Hubbard joined the Bendigo and Adelaide Bank Board in 2013 and Tony Robinson joined the Board in 2006.