Carolyn Colley

Rabobank Australia Limited has announced the appointment of Carolyn Colley as its new Chair, succeeding James Fazzino, who is stepping down after more than six years on the board.

Ms Colley has been a member of the Rabobank Australia Limited board since April 2025 and brings more than 30 years’ executive and non-executive experience in financial services, technology and digital innovation to the position.

Announcing the appointment, effective from August 31, 2026, Rabobank managing board member Wholesale & Rural Els Kamphof said Ms Colley’s extensive leadership experience spanning financial services, technology, product development and innovation made her an ideal successor to Mr Fazzino in board renewal for Rabobank’s growing Australian business.

“Carolyn’s exceptional understanding of the financial services marketplace, and her expertise in technology strategy and digital transformation, makes her ideally placed to lead the board as Rabobank supports our Australian clients’ future growth,” Ms Kamphof said. “Carolyn brings deep experience across audit, risk, financial and product governance in complex regulated environments. Added to this, Carolyn has a strong affinity with, and commitment to, Australia’s food and agri sector.”

Ms Colley is currently an independent non-executive director of Count Ltd, the ASX’s Clearing and Settlement boards and Smartgroup Corporation. She is Chair and Treasurer of not-for-profit Liverpool Neighbourhood Connections.

Ms Colley has previously served on the boards of Milford Asset Management, IOOF Trustees and Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand. She has held senior executive roles at Macquarie Bank, St George Bank and BT Financial Group.

She also co-founded – and was Chief Operating Officer of – Faethm, a global SaaS analytics platform helping companies and governments address the future of work.

Ms Kamphof thanked outgoing Chair James Fazzino for his contribution to the board, where he has served as Chair since 2023 and a director since 2020.

“James’s passion for Australian agriculture and his leadership and business acumen have been invaluable to Rabobank Australia,” she said.

Mr Fazzino said it had been a “privilege to work with the exceptional people of Rabobank in supporting Australian farming families and communities”. “I’m grateful to my fellow board members for their dedication and partnership throughout my time as Chair, and I leave confident the bank is well positioned for the future,” he said.

Ms Colley said she was “honoured and excited to take on the role of Chair of Rabobank Australia”. “This is a great business, backed by the strength of our global parent, and I look forward to working with Caroline Oosterbaan, her executive team, my fellow board members and the wider Rabobank team as we continue to grow our position in the Australian market, strengthen our internal capabilities and deliver great products, services and support to our customers,” she said.

Other members of Rabobank Australia Limited’s board are Christine Feldmanis, Clive Stiff, Geerten Battjes, Angelique Meddeler and Rabobank Australia & New Zealand Regional Manager and CEO Rabobank Australia Limited Caroline Oosterbaan.

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Most recently, Colley was Chief Operating Officer of Faethm Pty Ltd, a global Software-as-a-Service augmented analytics platform which enables companies, governments and educators to understand the impact of emerging technologies on the Future of Work.

Ms Colley has also worked with the Banking and Insurance Group of KPMG and BT Financial Group and was Chief Operating Officer of both Asgard Wealth Solutions and St. George’s Wealth Management division. Post the integration of St. George with Westpac in 2009, Colley also worked at Macquarie Bank where she was Head of Strategy for Macquarie Advisor Services and then Head of Personal Banking.

Colley currently holds a number of other Director roles, including an Independent Non-Executive Director of the subsidiary settlement and clearing boards of the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX), an Independent Non-Executive Director, Member of the Audit and Risk Committees and Chair of the Board Claims Review Committee of OnePath Custodians and Oasis Fund Management, IOOF’s Superannuation businesses and an Independent Non-Executive Director and a Member of the Information Technology and Human Resources and Remuneration committees of ASX- listed salary packaging and leasing business Smartgroup (ASX:SIQ). She is also a Director and Deputy Chair of Liverpool Neighbourhood Connections, a community based not for profit organisation.

CountPlus CEO Matthew Rowe said that Ms Colley’s appointment was a fantastic addition to its Board.

“Carolyn’s resume clearly speaks for itself and I’m delighted that she has joined our Board of Directors. Her experience in financial services and technology will be key as we continue to drive new, smarter ways of doing business within our accounting and advice member firms. Carolyn will also Chair our newly formed Technology and Innovation Board Committee to ensure that this business function has dedicated leadership and vision.”

Colley’s appointment means that the CountPlus Board is now comprised of 50% female directors.

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