Internal leadership transition set for next month
Judo Capital Holdings has announced the appointment of Chris Bayliss (pictured) as the next chief executive at Judo Bank. Bayliss will succeed Joseph Healy, who is stepping down after seven years at the helm.
The transition will take place on March 19, with Healy remaining as an advisor until June 28 to ensure a smooth handover.
Bayliss brings over 40 years of experience in the banking sector, including a tenure of over eight years at the challenger bank, where he assumed several key positions. He also held senior roles at international banks including Standard Chartered Bank in Singapore, National Australia Bank, Bank of New Zealand, and Yorkshire/Clydesdale Bank in the UK.
“Since the very beginning, Chris has been a key leader in building our bank,” said Peter Hodgson, chairman at Judo Bank. “He has worked tirelessly and with clear purpose and drive across every corner of Judo as it has grown in both strength and size.
“He has held positions of chief operating officer, chief financial officer, chief relationship officer, and deputy CEO of Judo. In each of these roles, he has applied his 40 years of business and retail banking experience, which has played an enormous part in building the bank we see today – a bank on a clear path to becoming a scale player in the Australian financial landscape.
“Chris has a deep understanding of relationship banking, along with the energy for people leadership that will help Judo Bank achieve its next phase of growth and scale, and we’re conscious of the seamless transition this internal appointment will bring for the business.”
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Under the leadership of Healy (pictured below), Judo Bank has made significant strides, notably obtaining a banking license, raising $1.5 billion in equity, and achieving profitability within three years.
The outgoing CEO commended the appointment of Bayliss as successor.
“Chris brings all that Judo needs for its next phase of growth – a deep history of our business, a passion for customers and our purpose, an unparalleled breadth of experience in all aspects of banking, and outstanding, proven leadership skills which will continue to drive the Judo team and to challenge the traditional banking landscape and deliver more for our SME customers,” Healy said. “The business is in great hands.”
Commenting on his appointment, Bayliss said he was honoured to be chosen to lead the team at Judo Bank through its next phase of growth.
“It has been an absolute privilege to work alongside Joseph to build this unique bank,” he said. “A big part of what we see today is credit to his unwavering determination to push through and demand more for the SME community.
“He can be proud to have been a crucial pillar for a business that now serves over 4,000 SME customers with close to $10 billion in lending and an industry-leading team who have never been more excited about the prospects for this company.”
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