Global transformation heavyweight appointed to P&N Group

Police & Nurses Limited (PNL), operating as the P&N Group, has announced the appointment of renowned transformation executive, Phil Thistlethwaite, to the newly created position of Chief Transformation Officer (CTO) effective 1 September 2020.

Phil Thistlethwaite, Chief Transformation Officer

With the successful merger and subsequent integration of the organisation’s customer-owned banking brands (P&N Bank in Western Australia and bcu in New South Wales and south-east Queensland), the Group has ambitious plans to continue to grow its national presence and footprint both organically and through future partnerships.

P&N Group CEO, Andrew Hadley said Thistlethwaite’s appointment to the newly created CTO role is a significant step-change in building a strong future for the organisation and adds substantial capability to the Executive team.

“With the pace of change, levels of fintech disruption and the continuing consolidation of the customer-owned banking sector, our members deserve an organisation that not only remains relevant, but one that can also play a leading role in offering more Australians a genuine banking alternative to the major banks,” he said.

With a credentialled international career in growing, building and developing local and global organisations, Thistlethwaite joined the P&N Group in late 2019 in a consulting capacity, directing the Integration Program between P&N Bank and bcu post the November 2019 merger.
“After seeing what Phil has brought to the table in a consulting capacity, it’s quite a coup that he has agreed to join our organisation on a full-time basis,” Hadley said.

“I am looking forward to working with Phil and supporting his contribution to our organisation’s success and ongoing evolution on behalf of our 150,000 members.”

Thistlethwaite is equally enthusiastic about the opportunities that lay ahead for the P&N Group, P&N Bank and bcu, and the role he will play.

“Leading the Integration Program for the P&N Group has been both rewarding and enjoyable but, more importantly, has allowed me to engage with the culture and opportunities that exist within the organisation more broadly,” he said.

“I’ve absolutely bought into the customer-owned banking model, the vision, the people and the purpose a lot more than I could have imagined, so I’m genuinely excited to be here and to contribute in any way that I can.”

About Phil Thistlethwaite, Chief Transformation Officer, P&N Group:

• Holds a Bachelor of Science majoring in Computer Science, a Graduate Diploma in Applied Finance and Investment, and is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
• Has worked at board and executive levels across cultures and geographies and has a strong commercially-orientated understanding of business and technology.
• In 2005 co-founded The Birchman Group Asia Pacific; a professional service firm focused on delivering and supporting IT enabled business transformation. Subsequently became global CEO growing the business to over 900 staff in 14 offices around the world.
• Oversaw client portfolio of Birchman Group Asia Pacific delivering client growth and transformation in areas such as IT, leadership, banking, marketing, sales, finance, human resources and operations.
• Led or been part of the leadership team on transformation programs on Asia Pacific, European and Global scales.
• Worked with and within organisations such as HBOSA (Bankwest), CUA, Polaroid, Allied Domecq (second largest Spirits and Wines company in the world), Jaguar Land Rover, KPMG, BHP, WA State Government, IBM and Growth Equities Mutual.
• Active participant in the technology start-up space, where he has helped organisations define their strategies and business plans for growth.

For more information please visit pnbank.com.au or bcu.com.au.