Newcastle Greater Mutual Group partner’s ‘outstanding work’ honoured in front of 2,500-strong audience
Claire Mahady (pictured, top of page, left), employee experience partner at Newcastle Greater Mutual Group (NGM Group), has been named winner of the 2026 Customer Owned Banking Association (COBA) Emerging Leader Award, presented jointly by COBA and Bridges Financial Services.
The award was announced at the World Credit Union Conference, held at the International Convention Centre Sydney from 19–22 July in front of more than 2,500 customer-owned banking professionals from around the world – the first time the event has been hosted in Sydney.
The conference was jointly run by COBA and the World Council of Credit Unions (WOCCU).
Mahady was recognised for her focus on people, her commitment to continuous improvement, and her influence on positive change within her organisation. She will receive a $10,000 grant to put toward further study, industry programs, or attendance at domestic or international conferences.
The award sits within COBA's Emerging Leader Program, open to participants under 40 working in customer-owned banks, with shortlisted candidates interviewed by representatives from COBA and Bridges. This year drew 15 applications.
Outgoing COBA chief executive Michael Lawrence (pictured, top of page, right) said the Emerging Leaders program has helped shape many of the sector's current chief executives and board members. "This program and award are not just about recognising talent; it's about investing in the future of customer-owned banking." He said, adding that Mahady's "outstanding work to date makes her a truly worthy winner”.
Bridges has sponsored the award for more than 20 years. Chief executive Nathan Stanton said this reflects “how investment in people contributes to stronger organisations and better outcomes for customers”.
Mahady called the recognition "a privilege”, adding: "As an Employee Experience Partner, I believe communication is at the heart of building trust, engagement and belonging."
The win comes as customer-owned banks continue to expand their footprint, a trend MPA has tracked in its coverage of the sector.
Lawrence comments on his retirement
Lawrence used the opening address of the World Credit Union Conference to touch on his upcoming retirement.
Lawrence, who has led COBA since December 2017 and chaired WOCCU since 2024, told delegates from 50-plus countries: "This October, I'll be hanging up my boots as the CEO of COBA and Chair of the World Council to spend more time with the family and to explore other interests beyond executive work.”
But he also teased ongoing involvement in the customer-owned banking space, saying: "It makes me realise that October might not be the absolute last that you see of me around the customer-owned banking community. I know I will always find a way to keep fighting the good fight alongside you."
On the outlook for the global credit movement, Lawrence described an operating environment reshaped by instability and disruption. "The financial services landscape is increasingly shaped by global geopolitics, rapid technology change and shifting regulatory priorities," he said, pointing to artificial intelligence "moving from experimentation to enforcement" and new frameworks around digital payments and currencies.
"This is no longer a world where regulation is stable and predictable," Lawrence told delegates. "It is a world that is more complex, more fragmented and more interconnected than ever before."
Despite that, Lawrence struck a confident note on the sector's foundations. "We are part of a movement that is built on trust... on the simple but powerful idea that financial institutions belong to the people they serve. That idea has carried this movement through generations of change... We have always been resilient and we always will be."
The opening ceremony included a Welcome to Country followed by a flag ceremony of participating nations.
