Veteran bank CEO steps down, replacement announced

Member-owned bank BDCU Alliance has announced that its CEO, Jan Edwards, has retired after almost 25 years in the role.

BDCU’s deputy CEO, Tanya Schiller, has been appointed as her replacement, effective as of 1 January 2020.

Ms Schiller has served with BDCU for 11 years, including two as Ms Edwards’ deputy.

Ms Edwards, however, will stay on with BDCU until July 2020, which the bank said would “ensure a smooth transition”.

BDCU Alliance Bank chairman Daniel Marmont thanked Ms Edwards for her service to the bank .

“Jan will be dearly missed. She relentlessly improved the capacity for BDCU to serve the interests of its members and the communities of the Southern Tablelands and Highlands,” he said.

Mr Marmont also welcomed Ms Schiller’s appointment, adding that he is confident in her leadership qualities.  

“In Tanya, we are extremely fortunate to have found a leader of her calibre within the BDCU leadership ranks. In her 11 years with us, she has proven herself to be a highly capable executive who is extremely passionate about BDCU Alliance Bank’s central role as a commercial and social enterprise,” Mr Marmont said.

Reflecting on her time at the bank and the appointment of Ms Schiller, Ms Edwards said: “It is a logical time for me to step aside for the next generation of leaders within the organisation.

“Tanya was identified some time ago as a potential CEO of BDCU and has continued to grow as a leader. She is a highly capable and intelligent individual who is extremely passionate about BDCU as a commercial and social enterprise.

“Tanya is also a local, who was raised in the Southern Highlands and has strong family connections to the Tablelands, so she understands the local economy and has strong community connections,” she said.

Ms Schiller joined BDCU Alliance Bank in 2008 from KPMG, where she served as corporate services manager, overseeing the organisation’s finance, risk, compliance and IT functions. She was appointed deputy CEO in July 2017.

Commenting on her appointment, Ms Schiller added: “The culture of growth and development that Jan nurtured during her tenure has allowed us to implement what should be a seamless leadership transition.

“Jan successfully led the organisation through an unprecedented amount of change and laid the groundwork for a secure future, serving the best interests of BDCU members and the communities in which we operate.

“I look forward to overseeing the long-term success of BDCU as an organisation steeped in history and community connectedness.”

[Related: UBank CEO joins Suncorp]