Speakers
John Baistow
Chairman
bankmecu
Website: www.bankmecu.com.auConference theme:
SIMULTANEOUS FORUM: Integrating cooperative values into management practices
Biography
John is Chairman of bankmecu, Australia's first customer-owned bank.
He has been a Director of credit unions for over 20 years and has served as a Director of Cuscal (Australia's leading provider of transactional banking, liquidity and capital management products and superannuation solutions) and as Chairman of CUFA (Credit Union Foundation of Australia). He has also served as CSIRO's Alternate Director to the Board of Food Science Australia (a Joint Venture between CSIRO and the Victorian Government) and as CSIRO's representative on the Forestry Cooperative Research Centre.
John spent most of his executive career as a Senior Executive with CSIRO Australia which included managing their interests in Ensis (a Joint Venture in forestry with a New Zealand Crown Research Institute), the Executive Services portfolio, and various Divisions/Institutes within its Agribusiness portfolio. He also worked on secondment to Spencer Stuart and to Ernst & Young Consulting.
He holds numerous academic qualifications including an MBA in Technology Management and is a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and a Fellow of the Australasian Mutuals Institute.
About bankmecu
bankmecu became Australia's first customer-owned bank in September 2011. Its decision to change its designation from that of a credit union to a bank was a strategic response to the importance of engaging Australian consumers around the value and importance of cooperative enterprises more effectively.
bankmecu is strongly committed to a more responsible approach to banking where ‘responsible' encompasses a culture highly committed to risk management, compliance, the stewardship of customer value and sustainable development. It has demonstrated that a cooperative approach to banking can create long-term value for its owners in a sustainable way.
bankmecu's efficient and low-cost structure has enabled it to better manage declining margins. Consequently, it has emerged from the global financial crisis stronger. As global markets remain unstable, bankmecu Limited remains strongly positioned to meet future challenges.
bankmecu is one of only 3 companies in Australia to be participating in the International Integrated Reporting Council's pilot program. It maintains an investment grade credit rating from international rating agency Standard & Poor's and was recognized in 2010 as the Most Sustainable Australian Small Company by Ethical Investor.
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