About Rod:

Rod is an entrepreneurial banking and technology professional with over 20 years’ experience.

He specialises in;

• The design, build and launch of innovative new fintech propositions
• Helping financial services businesses to grow through new ventures
• Strategic partnerships and inorganic investments

Rod joined Westpac Banking Corporation in 2008 and is currently the Head of Emerging Technology & FinTech Partnerships. He was a founding member of the bank’s innovation accelerator, Growth Labs, where he leads early-stage ventures and customer-facing digital propositions, often applying emerging technologies to deliver new commercial outcomes for the bank.

Over recent years, Rod has played significant roles in leading Westpac’s strategic initiatives related to Digital Assets, Sustainability, Generative AI and Digital Identity. Major projects have included leadership of Westpac’s participation in the Reserve Bank of Australia’s CBDC pilot in 2023, the launch of a new home ownership ecosystem venture, and delivery of Westpac’s first sustainability propositions for retail & SMB customers in collaboration with clean tech partners.

He previously setup Westpac Co.lab, a fintech accelerator in the Sydney Startup Hub in 2020 and has held strategy roles in Westpac’s Business Bank and Institutional Bank. Rod has also represented Westpac to the Australian Treasury, NSW Government, the Australian Banking Association and other bodies. Rod started his career as a management consultant with PricewaterhouseCoopers, working in Sydney, New York and Tokyo. He is a NED for Surf Life Saving Services, the commercial subsidiary of Surf Life Saving NSW, and holds a masters degrees in finance and technology from the Macquarie University’s Applied Finance Centre and University of Technology Sydney.

About MentorHours:

MentorHours are exclusively for Level39 members. These form part of the weekly curriculum offered to our 180 technology businesses who call Level39 home. For more information and link to register for this session, please see the latest member newsletter, or email the team on members@level39.co