Suncorp Bank appoints new CEO

Suncorp Group has appointed Clive van Horen as its new banking and wealth CEO, effective 4 August.

Mr van Horen replaces Lee Hatton, who stepped down in May after just months at the helm.

The new appointee joins Suncorp from the Commonwealth Bank of Australia (CBA), where he has held several senior roles in retail and business banking over a 10-year period.

Mr van Horen currently serves as CBA’s executive general manager, business customer solutions, responsible for business products across lending, deposits, merchants and payments, as well as analytics and customer strategy.

Commenting on his appointment, Suncorp Group CEO Steve Johnston said: “Clive has spent the last decade leading teams across CBA’s retail and business bank, and I am delighted that he is joining us to deliver banking and wealth’s critical contribution to the group’s success.”

The appointment is part of a new operational model announced by Suncorp, in which Mr van Horen will be accountable for all banking and wealth operations, customer strategy, finance, marketing and digital distribution, with several functions moving from centralised teams.

According to Suncorp, the changes are aimed at “improving the competitiveness of the bank through faster decision making, greater digital capability and the ability to address the direct expense base”.

“The changes do not signal any shift of intent regarding the role of the bank, which remains core to the group,” Mr Johnston added.

“The changes provide further clarity around accountability, consistent with the BEAR regulatory requirements and will set the bank up for improved performance.”

[Related: Suncorp appoints former CBA exec]