Fulfilling the needs of our customers and doing good within the communities we serve are the top priorities for our Executive team. For a showcase of the team's performance and accomplishments, see our Annual Reports.
Steve Laidlaw
Chief Executive Officer, People First Bank
BEc, BCom, FCA, FAICD, AMP (Harvard)
Steve has significant people leadership and executive management experience in the retail banking and finance industry.
Steve was Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of People’s Choice Credit Union from 2016 until the merger with Heritage Bank in 2023 which formed People First Bank.
Steve was appointed Deputy CEO following the merger and assumed the role of CEO in July 2024.
Maria-Ann Camilleri
Chief Customer Officer
MBA (Exec), BA (Political Science), MAICD
Maria-Ann has more than 20 years' experience in executive roles in multi-brand companies, successfully delivering growth, transformation and change initiatives. This includes international experience in the banking and aviation sectors.
Before joining People's Choice in 2020, Maria-Ann was National General Manager of Virtual Banking Strategy and Customer Care at Westpac Group and was previously State General Manager VIC and General Manager at BankSA.
Peter Corolis
Chief Risk Officer
BComm, GradDip AppFin & Inv, GMB (Harvard)
Peter was appointed Chief Risk Officer at People’s Choice in 2016 and has over 20 years’ experience in banking and finance.
Previous experience includes executive positions in banking operations and risk management at Rural Bank, and senior leadership roles with APRA. He has considerable experience in strategic planning, organisational design, risk management, program management and banking operations.
Vince Pace
Chief Financial Officer
MAcctg, BComm, FCPA
Vince has spent more than 20 years in executive finance and treasury roles in the banking and utilities sectors.
Before being appointed Chief Financial Officer at People’s Choice in 2017, Vince was Chief Financial Officer at ElectraNet, the operator of South Australia’s electricity transmission network, and prior to that was the Head of Corporate Services and General Manager Finance & Treasury with Bendigo and Adelaide Bank.
Vince is Chair of Mutual Marketplace, a specialist procurement business delivering savings for the Australian mutual industry.
Taryn Shearn
Chief Legal Officer & Company Secretary
LLB (Hons), BComm
Taryn joined People's Choice in 2012 and was appointed as General Counsel and Company Secretary in 2017.
Taryn has more than 20 years' experience in legal in-house and private practice roles.
Prior to joining People First, Taryn practised in corporate and banking and financial services law.
Darren Stephens
Chief People Officer
GradDip WorkRel
A highly experienced human resources professional, Darren held senior roles in both Westpac and St George banks before joining Heritage in 2016.
Darren has also worked with Sydney Water, in several roles within the New South Wales public sector, and has run his own management consultancy in Sydney.
After joining Heritage as Chief People Officer he moved into the role of Chief Transformation Officer in 2019.
Andy Weir
Chief Technology & Transformation Officer
BA, BSc, MBA, GAICD
Before joining People’s Choice in 2022, Andy held executive roles with CBA, Bankwest and Halifax Bank of Scotland (HBOS) in technology, transformation, strategy, change management, integration and retail banking.
He is an experienced executive leader specialising in large-scale strategic and digital transformations.
Andy has also previously provided advisory services to organisations such as Suncorp, ABN Group and others in relation to their technology and transformation strategies.
Benn Wogan
Chief Operations Officer
BCom, LLB, MBA
Benn has 20 years’ experience in corporate legal and governance roles, including advising on financial services regulation and compliance matters.
Benn joined Heritage Bank's executive team in 2017, taking responsibility as General Counsel and Company Secretary.
Before moving to Heritage, Benn spent nine years at PwC Australia, where he held senior legal roles, including Legal Director and Senior Legal Counsel.
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