Non-Executive Director, Samantha Martin-Williams has been appointed incoming Chair of NGM Group, making her the first woman to hold the position in the organisation’s history.

Samantha Martin-Williams is a respected business leader who brings significant board experience and community leadership to the role. She is the current Deputy Chair of Newcastle Airport, Vice Chair of the Supply Chain and Logistics Association of Australia (SCLAA).

Samantha also serves on the boards of Fishburners, Australia’s largest tech start-up community, and the University of Newcastle Business School.

A former Telstra Business Woman of the Year, Samantha is a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD), serving on its NSW Council, and of the Governance Institute of Australia.

In 2012, she became the first female director of Newcastle Permanent, transitioning to the Board of NGM Group following its 2023 merge with Greater Bank. She currently chairs NGM Group’s People, Culture and Remuneration Committee.

Following a distinguished executive career, Samantha brings experience in contemporary governance, business transformation, strategy execution and fostering partnerships, and is set to take the helm from Wayne Russell in November, who will retire at the Group’s AGM.

Deputy Chair of NGM, Jeff Eather will also retire at the AGM, with Rod Jackson appointed Deputy Chair alongside Samantha’s appointment.

With over four decades of banking experience including roles with Westpac, St George and RAMS, as well as a former Chair of Westpac Europe, Rod is currently a non-executive director of the Searson Buck Group and NextSense, and serves on a number of other boards, including the Financial Services Institute of Australasia (FINSIA).

Rod offers valuable insights into risk and balance sheet management and multi-brand business in the financial services sector and serves as Chair of NGM Group’s Risk Committee.

Wayne said these appointments reflect the NGM Group Board’s strong commitment to proactive succession and composition planning.

“In handing over to Sam and Rod, I could not be more confident in the organisation’s future,” Wayne said.

“Sam has a proven track record of advancing the agenda of regional business in Australia which, coupled with Rod’s industry experience, will build on NGM Group’s already-strong position in the industry.

“Having already demonstrated their capability and commitment, I know Sam and Rod are the right leaders to continue to drive NGM Group towards our goal of being Australia’s leading customer-owned bank,” he said.

Samantha added that she is honoured to be part of this exciting chapter in the NGM Group’s history.

“NGM Group and its Newcastle Permanent and Greater Bank brands are deeply embedded in our communities and we’re one of the largest regional employers, so we have a proud history of delivering for our people and our region. It’s an exciting time to be a part of NGM Group,” she said.

Wayne and Jeff, since joining the Greater Bank and Newcastle Permanent boards respectively over 10 years ago, have overseen periods of significant growth and change for both organisations, and as Chairs, were instrumental in bringing the mutuals together in 2023.

“Wayne and Jeff have not only built an incredibly strong and thriving organisation that delivers real value for our customers, they have championed our investment in local communities and our people,” Samantha said.

“Wayne and Jeff have set a really high benchmark and with such a broad range of skills and experience across the NGM Group Board, Rod and I look forward to progressing our contemporary approach to corporate governance.”

Following her recent appointment to the board of Newcastle Permanent Charitable Foundation, NGM Group non-executive director Catherine Robson has been appointed Chair of the Foundation Board.

With more than 20 years’ experience in finance and investment, including at Macquarie Bank and NAB, Catherine has also served on boards and committees of health, education and women’s charities for more than a decade.

IMAGE | NGM’s first female Board Chair, Samantha Martin-Williams.