Our Team

Yasser was appointed FINSIA Chief Executive and Managing Director in April 2022. Previously, he was Chief Executive of Australian Investment Council from November 2013 to April 2022 where he was responsible for leading the strategic direction of the organisation’s work in representing the private capital investment industry in Australia.

Prior to joining Australian Investment Council, Yasser was the General Manager of Policy and Advocacy for Chartered Accountants Australia & New Zealand.

He has more than 25 years’ experience as a business adviser and public policy expert, through his previous roles with PwC, Rio Tinto, Frasers Property Australia,  as well as the Department of Treasury in Canberra.

In April 2016, Yasser was appointed by the Federal Government to the Medical Research Future Fund Advisory Board where he advises on the strategy and priorities for medical health research funding from the $20B fund.

FINSIA Member since 4 May 2022.

Member, Director Nominations Committee David has more than 25 years’ experience in Australia, New York and the Middle East. David has a strong knowledge of the financial services sector, having worked with a broad cross section of the industry, including banks, brokers, exchanges, fintechs, leasing companies, payment providers, private equity and non bank financiers.

He is also a recognised regulatory expert, having advised a range of local and international banks.

David joined the FINSIA board on 28 February 2020 and was appointed as President on 26 May 2022. David has previously served as a member of the FINSIA Consumer Finance Advisory Group and as Chair of the FINSIA Institutional Markets Council.

FINSIA Member since 12 March 2004. 

Member Vanessa is the Deputy CEO at the Australian Banking Association  and  has worked in the financial services industry for more than 20 years, holding senior roles in a variety of organisations prior to joining the Australian Banking Association in her current role.

Vanessa’s executive experience spans financial services, government, and the not-for-profit sectors, holding roles in strategy, business transformation and organisational development.

Grant is the Executive General Manger, Business Lending at Common-wealth Bank of Australia with more than 20 years’ experience in business banking.

Grant led the Regional & Agribusiness Banking team for five years and was recently appointed to his new role in Business Lending. He has been with the Commonwealth Bank since 2005 leading product, operations and relationship teams in business banking. Prior to joining Commonwealth Bank, Grant was a General Manager with McCarroll Automotive Group and prior to that was a Senior Accountant at KPMG.

He is also a Director of the Australian Business Growth Fund (AGBF) and has also been a member of the CEO Circle since 2012. Grant Cairns joined the FINSIA Board in early June 2019 and then was appointed as Vice President to the FINSIA Board in April 2020.

FINSIA Member since 28 March 2019.

Alan has over 40 years Australian and global experience in the banking, finance and securities Industry. His career includes 16 years at Citigroup and 10 years with the Australian Securities Exchange in senior executive finance and risk positions.

He is now an experienced non executive director and Chair and currently serves on the boards of Australian Military Bank and Clearview Life Nominees Limited as well as FINSIA. FINSIA member since 12 October 1992.

Rod has worked in financial services and been a FINSIA member for 41 years, primarily with the Westpac Banking Group of companies.

For the last 21 years of his executive career, he has been a CFO or COO in various roles domestically and globally with the last eight years in Institutional Banking. Prior to that, his extensive experience has been in Retail and Business Banking at Westpac and St George Bank. While CFO at Westpac International, Rod had responsibility for teams in eight countries.

He is known for his integrity and strong business standards, has experience in leading large teams and building culture. And has significant experience in financial management and strategy.

Rod has 15 years experience as a director, beginning with RAMS Financial Group and then extending to Westpac and St George subsidiaries.

He remains Chair of Westpac Europe Ltd, and has expanded his director and advisor roles into other industries over the last three years. FINSIA member since 18 September 1980.

Carolyn Kidd is the Chief Risk Officer for Sky City Entertainment Group (effective 1 April 2023), having formerly been CRO for Westpac New Zealand and an experienced Financial Services Leader with a strong track record in transformation change, including leading culture and regulatory programmes.

With more than 30 years’ experience in the sector in New Zealand and Australia, she is passionate about risk management as a key enabler for strategic success and providing the best outcomes for customers, communities and stakeholders.

FINSIA member since 27 February 1991.

Andrew McNeil is a 20 year FINSIA member and has over 30 years of diversified financial services experience and 20 years of investment management experience throughout Australia and the United States.

He is founder of the Yarmouth group of companies and provides corporate advice to middle market financial markets participants including AFSL holders and ASX listed companies.

His clients include investment managers, fintech and proptech companies. He is a former lecturer for the FINSIA Master of Applied Finance degree across real estate, investment management, strategic management and structuring financial products. Andrew is a foundation corporate partner of AFL team, the Greater Western Sydney Giants.

FINSIA member since 18 July 2002.

Paul is the Chief Credit & Market Risk Officer at National Australia Bank with extensive experience across global markets, risk management, governance and financial markets infrastructure. Prior to joining NAB in 2016, Paul had a number of senior roles with Commonwealth Bank across financial markets, corporate finance and risk management. His earlier career included roles in both Australia and Asia with Bank of America, UBS and Midland Bank.

In terms of industry governance, Paul is a past Chairman of the Australian Financial Markets Association (AFMA), and served as a Director of CLS Group Holdings Limited. 

FINSIA member since 17 September 2021.

Chris is a highly experienced executive with 30 years’ experience in banking, wealth management and insurances.

She began her career at Deloitte as a Chartered Accountant, and has held senior management positions at Citigroup, ANZ and NAB. She has a love of learning and holds a Bachelor Economics, HRM Masters, SIA Graduate Diploma in Applied Corporate Finance, Diploma in Financial Markets from AFMA and is currently completing her Doctoral Business Administration.

She is a Senior Fellow of FINSIA, a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, and a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants. Chris’ signature approach to business is her focus on customer centric strategy and business design.

One of her proudest achievements was the founding of Women In Banking and Finance, a not for profit organisation that supports women in their careers.

Chris is the CEO of the Retail Platform at Australian Unity, where she has accountability for the groups bank and private health insurance companies. Chris has extensive Board experience and is currently on the board of Australian Unity Bank Limited and Australian Unity Health Limited. Previous board experience includes JB Were, BNZ Life and membership of the Sydney University Business School Advisory Board.

Member, Director Nominations Committee David has more than 25 years’ experience in Australia, New York and the Middle East. David has a strong knowledge of the financial services sector, having worked with a broad cross section of the industry, including banks, brokers, exchanges, fintechs, leasing companies, payment providers, private equity and non bank financiers.

He is also a recognised regulatory expert, having advised a range of local and international banks.

David joined the FINSIA board on 28 February 2020 and was appointed as President on 26 May 2022. David has previously served as a member of the FINSIA Consumer Finance Advisory Group and as Chair of the FINSIA Institutional Markets Council.

FINSIA Member since 12 March 2004. 

Alan has over 40 years Australian and global experience in the banking, finance and securities Industry. His career includes 16 years at Citigroup and 10 years with the Australian Securities Exchange in senior executive finance and risk positions.

He is now an experienced non executive director and Chair and currently serves on the boards of Australian Military Bank and Clearview Life Nominees Limited as well as FINSIA. FINSIA member since 12 October 1992.

Carolyn Kidd is the Chief Risk Officer for Sky City Entertainment Group (effective 1 April 2023), having formerly been CRO for Westpac New Zealand and an experienced Financial Services Leader with a strong track record in transformation change, including leading culture and regulatory programmes.

With more than 30 years’ experience in the sector in New Zealand and Australia, she is passionate about risk management as a key enabler for strategic success and providing the best outcomes for customers, communities and stakeholders.

FINSIA member since 27 February 1991.

Paul is the Chief Credit & Market Risk Officer at National Australia Bank with extensive experience across global markets, risk management, governance and financial markets infrastructure. Prior to joining NAB in 2016, Paul had a number of senior roles with Commonwealth Bank across financial markets, corporate finance and risk management. His earlier career included roles in both Australia and Asia with Bank of America, UBS and Midland Bank.

In terms of industry governance, Paul is a past Chairman of the Australian Financial Markets Association (AFMA), and served as a Director of CLS Group Holdings Limited. 

FINSIA member since 17 September 2021.

Member, Director Nominations Committee David has more than 25 years’ experience in Australia, New York and the Middle East. David has a strong knowledge of the financial services sector, having worked with a broad cross section of the industry, including banks, brokers, exchanges, fintechs, leasing companies, payment providers, private equity and non bank financiers.

He is also a recognised regulatory expert, having advised a range of local and international banks.

David joined the FINSIA board on 28 February 2020 and was appointed as President on 26 May 2022. David has previously served as a member of the FINSIA Consumer Finance Advisory Group and as Chair of the FINSIA Institutional Markets Council.

FINSIA Member since 12 March 2004. 

Chris is a highly experienced executive with 30 years’ experience in banking, wealth management and insurances.

She began her career at Deloitte as a Chartered Accountant, and has held senior management positions at Citigroup, ANZ and NAB. She has a love of learning and holds a Bachelor Economics, HRM Masters, SIA Graduate Diploma in Applied Corporate Finance, Diploma in Financial Markets from AFMA and is currently completing her Doctoral Business Administration.

She is a Senior Fellow of FINSIA, a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, and a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants. Chris’ signature approach to business is her focus on customer centric strategy and business design.

One of her proudest achievements was the founding of Women In Banking and Finance, a not for profit organisation that supports women in their careers.

Chris is the CEO of the Retail Platform at Australian Unity, where she has accountability for the groups bank and private health insurance companies. Chris has extensive Board experience and is currently on the board of Australian Unity Bank Limited and Australian Unity Health Limited. Previous board experience includes JB Were, BNZ Life and membership of the Sydney University Business School Advisory Board.

Grant is the Executive General Manger, Business Lending at Common-wealth Bank of Australia with more than 20 years’ experience in business banking.

Grant led the Regional & Agribusiness Banking team for five years and was recently appointed to his new role in Business Lending. He has been with the Commonwealth Bank since 2005 leading product, operations and relationship teams in business banking. Prior to joining Commonwealth Bank, Grant was a General Manager with McCarroll Automotive Group and prior to that was a Senior Accountant at KPMG.

He is also a Director of the Australian Business Growth Fund (AGBF) and has also been a member of the CEO Circle since 2012. Grant Cairns joined the FINSIA Board in early June 2019 and then was appointed as Vice President to the FINSIA Board in April 2020.

FINSIA Member since 28 March 2019.

Karolina is a partner at Allen & Overy, in the capital markets team, and her expertise spans across the entire debt capital markets, acting in connection with secured (securitisation and covered bonds) and unsecured funding transactions. Karolina's experience extends to receivables and cash flow financing and general banking and finance.

Karolina specialises in securitisation and, with the introduction of enabling legislation, in covered bonds. She has significant experience across residential mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities in domestic, US (both SEC-registered and Rule 144A offerings) and Euro markets, acting for all participants involved including originators, issuers, trustees and investors. Karolina has extensive experience across a range of asset classes including residential mortgages (prime, low doc and no doc), commercial property mortgages, reverse mortgages, credit cards, trade receivables, dealer floorplan financings, motor vehicle and equipment leases and hire purchases and chattel mortgages. She also has significant expertise acting for purchasers and sellers of pools of receivables (including securitised receivables) and securitised products.

Carolyn Kidd is the Chief Risk Officer for Sky City Entertainment Group (effective 1 April 2023), having formerly been CRO for Westpac New Zealand and an experienced Financial Services Leader with a strong track record in transformation change, including leading culture and regulatory programmes.

With more than 30 years’ experience in the sector in New Zealand and Australia, she is passionate about risk management as a key enabler for strategic success and providing the best outcomes for customers, communities and stakeholders.

FINSIA member since 27 February 1991.

Andrew McNeil is a 20 year FINSIA member and has over 30 years of diversified financial services experience and 20 years of investment management experience throughout Australia and the United States.

He is founder of the Yarmouth group of companies and provides corporate advice to middle market financial markets participants including AFSL holders and ASX listed companies.

His clients include investment managers, fintech and proptech companies. He is a former lecturer for the FINSIA Master of Applied Finance degree across real estate, investment management, strategic management and structuring financial products. Andrew is a foundation corporate partner of AFL team, the Greater Western Sydney Giants.

FINSIA member since 18 July 2002.