Westpac hires CBA's data chief to lead AI, data and digital

Westpac has made a major coup by landing the services of CBA’s chief data and analytics officer Andrew McMullan from September.

Andrew McMullan (Image credit: LinkedIn)

The big 4 bank said in an ASX filing that McMullan would join as its chief data, digital and AI officer, with a direct reporting line to the bank’s CEO Anthony Miller.

McMullan has been with CBA for almost nine years, over half of that as its CDAO and chief analytics officer. 

Westpac said that McMullan will lead its “data analytics, digital transformation and artificial intelligence initiatives, with a strong focus on the responsible use of data and AI to deliver exceptional experiences for customers and employees.”

“By integrating our data, digital and AI functions under Andrew’s leadership, we aim to become a truly service-centric organisation, improving the customer experience and empowering our teams,” CEO Miller said in a statement.

Miller said that McMullan will work closely with Westpac’s CIO Scott Collary, and would also support Unite, the name given to a huge technology simplification program of work.

Prior to being with CBA, McMullan held a number of data-related roles at RBS.

A CBA spokesperson confirmed McMullan had left the bank. It's understood CBA is in-market for a replacement, particularly to lead its own AI efforts.

"Andrew McMullan has left CBA to pursue an opportunity outside the bank. We thank Andrew for his contribution," the spokesperson said.

“AI is core to CBA’s strategy to build tomorrow’s bank today. We will continue to invest in data and AI to create more intuitive and personalised banking experiences for customers.”

It's understood that Westpac's current group chief digital officer Jason Hair, as well as the bank's divisional chief data officers, will all report into McMullan.

Until now, Westpac has had a chief data officer sit in each of its divisions such as consumer, wealth and New Zealand; these will continue under the new structure.