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RAA is pleased to announce the appointment of South Australian business leader Ben Owen to its executive team.
Ben will join the state’s largest membership organisation in the newly created role, Chief Strategy Officer (CSO) and General Manager Home & Energy, to drive RAA’s strategy, innovation and next growth business of Home and Energy.
Ben will commence with RAA in early 2023, coming from Westpac Group where he is State General Manager BankSA and Westpac, for South Australia and Northern Territory responsible for Consumer and Business.
RAA CEO Nick Reade said Ben would bring nearly 20 years of financial sector experience to RAA where he would help lead strategy, business planning and innovation.
“Ben is an accomplished leader, who has extensive experience in strategy and planning and has brought a customer-centric approach to some of Australia’s largest banks and branch networks,” Mr Reade said.
“Ben has a successful track record in developing and executing strategy to ensure organisations achieve their purpose, and RAA is thrilled to welcome him to its executive team.”
“Ben will be taking a lead role in RAA’s next growth business – Home and Energy – as we seek to innovate and ensure we will be there for our almost 800,000 members long into the future.”
Prior to joining Westpac Group in 2017, Ben spent more than 10 years at ANZ where he held several leadership roles in customer relationship management, product distribution, project management, governance and strategy.
Mr Reade said Ben would also bring a passion for community that aligned strongly with RAA’s purpose.
“Ben’s excellent commercial acumen will ensure RAA continues to serve our members in the most sustainable way possible,” Mr Reade said.
“Not only has Ben driven great commercial outcomes in his previous roles, he has also maintained a strong commitment to community, having been Chair of the Westpac Community Board for SA and NT since 2020.”
Ben holds a Master of Business Administration from Deakin Business School and a Bachelor of Business and Bachelor of Arts from the University of South Australia. He has also studied Public Finance and Entrepreneurship at Nanyang Technology University in Singapore. Ben is a Fellow of the Financial Services Institute of Australia (FINSIA) and currently Chairs the FINSIA South Australia Regional Council.
Ben will also bring new insights Global Programs such as Design Thinking for Innovation at Darden School of Business, and Global Energy and Climate Policy at the University of London.