Our management and Board of Directors

Joe O’Connell
Chairperson
BCom, FCA, CFInstD

A Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants and a Chartered Fellow of the Institute of Directors, Joe joined the SBS Bank Board in 2017 and has been Chairman since July 2021. He is an experienced Director with a financial background with an experience base that spans many industries such as airports, banking, commercial property, electricity distribution networks, exploration drilling and piling, fuel distribution, insurance, ready-mix concrete, timber processing and transportation.

Previously Joe has Chaired the Invercargill Airport Ltd overseeing the redevelopment of all land-side and terminal facilities as well as negotiating commercial terms for the company to secure its long term viability. He has held Directorships for Electricity Invercargill Ltd and Powernet Ltd and is currently a Director of Fern Energy Ltd, K G Richardson Ltd and a founding trustee of the Southland Foundation.

• Chair: SBS Bank
• Director: Finance Now Limited, Fraser Properties Limited.
• Member: Board Appointments Committee (Chair), Due Diligence Committee, Group IT Committee, Talent and Remuneration Committee
• Trustee: SBS Charitable Trust

Mike Skilling
BAgrSci, PGDipBank, SFFINSIA, CMInstD

Mike joined the SBS Board in August 2014. He is an independent director of various companies spanning funds management, insurance, mortgage broking, dairy/sheep/beef/crop/horticultural farming, consumer finance and early childhood education.

Mike has in-depth experience in retail, private, rural and business banking together with insurance, managed funds and finance companies. In previous roles, he has led both the agribusiness and business banking arms of BNZ including small business, medium/large business, international trade, property, plant and machinery finance and private banking teams.

He is a Senior Fellow of the Financial Services Institute of Australasia (FINSIA) and a Chartered Member of the New Zealand Institute of Directors.

• Deputy Chair: SBS Bank
• Chair: SBS Wealth Ltd
• Director: SBS Bank, Fraser Properties Limited
• Member: Group Audit and Risk Committee, Board Appointments Committee
• Trustee: SBS Charitable Trust

Mark O’Connor BCom
FCA, FNZIM

Mark is a qualified accountant who has primarily been involved in senior management roles in the New Zealand port sector for more than 25 years. He is the former CEO of NZX-listed company South Port NZ, a position he held for 18 years.

Appointed to the SBS Board in August 2018, Mark is also chairman of Nevele R Stud.

• Chair: Southsure Assurance Limited
• Director: SBS Bank, Fraser Properties Limited
• Member: Group Audit and Risk Committee, Talent and Remuneration Committee (chair) Due Diligence Committee

Kevin Murphy
FCA, CFinstD

As the former managing director/CEO of TSB (previously TSB Bank), Kevin oversaw the bank’s ambitious New Zealand-wide growth programme that had a focus on both branch presence and digital offerings.

He has continued to serve his community and has been a long serving member of New Plymouth Operatic Society (also a life member), is a business advisor and life member of Musical Theatre New Zealand, and a committee member of the Dame Malvina Major Foundation.

Kevin was appointed to the SBS Board in November 2018.

Kevin is on the Board of Public Trust New Zealand and Niue Development Bank and is Fellow of Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand and a Chartered Fellow of the Institute of Directors.

• Chair: Finance Now Limited
• Director: SBS Bank, Fraser Properties Limited
• Member: Due Diligence Committee, Board Appointment Committee, Group Audit and Risk Committee

Philip Ellison
BMS, MInstD

Phil is a professional director with over 30 years’ experience in the consumer finance sector, including 22 years at Finance Now Ltd, spending over 16 years of those in the role of CEO. He is a Member of the Institute of Directors and was previously Deputy Chair of the Financial Services Federation. Phil currently chairs the Professional Golfers’ Association (PGA) of New Zealand, supporting the professional golf members of New Zealand and is an active member of the NZ ICE Angels, advising a number of start-up businesses and chair of one of them. Phil has a Bachelor of Management Studies – Marketing and Finance from the University of Waikato.

Phil was appointed to the SBS Board in 2022.

• Director: SBS Bank, SBS Wealth Ltd, Fraser Properties Limited.
• Member: Group IT Committee (chair), Talent and Remuneration Committee

Linda Robertson 
BCom, PGDipBank, CFinstD, CTP, FINFINZ, MAICD

Linda is a professional company director with over 25 years governance experience, combined with 30 years senior financial management experience, having worked in both the banking and energy sectors in New Zealand.

Linda has been a full-time company director since 2015. Linda’s governance experience spans many industries such as banking, funds management, electricity generation retail and distribution, broadcasting services, co-operatives, local authority owned and state-owned entities and charities. She has a Bachelor of Commerce Degree and a Diploma in Banking. Linda also holds a Sustainability and ESG Designation; and a Climate and Biodiversity Certificate.

Linda is a Distinguished Fellow of the Institute of Finance Professionals New Zealand (INFINZ), a Graduate Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, a Charted Governance Professional and a Certified Fellow of the Institute of Directors in New Zealand.

Linda was appointed to the SBS Board in April 2023.

• Director: SBS Bank, Fraser Properties Limited
• Member: Group Audit and Risk Committee (chair) and the Due Diligence Committee (chair), Group IT committee

Jason Franklin
BCom, PGDipCom, FCA, MInstD

Jason joined the SBS Board in October 2024 and is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants and a Chartered Member of the New Zealand Institute of Directors.

Jason is the Chief Executive of PowerNet Limited and has thirty years’ experience in the energy and aluminium sectors, including fifteen years with Rio Tinto and Comalco in New Zealand, Australia and the United Kingdom. He started his career in electricity generation with the Electricity Corporation of New Zealand.

Jason is currently a director of Great South, SmartCo and the Electricity Networks Association. He has held directorships for Invercargill Airport Limited and Rugby Southland.

• Director: SBS Bank, Fraser Properties Limited

Mark McLean
SBS Group CEO

Chartered Accountant, BCom (Acctg), DipGrad (Marketing)

Mark has a financial services industry background spanning more than 25 years. He has held various banking leadership roles in the United Kingdom, Singapore, Netherlands and New Zealand. He was a member of SBS Bank’s executive team for over 10 years before moving into the role of SBS Group CEO in January 2022.

As SBS Group CEO, Mark is responsible for the performance of SBS Bank along with its three subsidiary businesses; Finance Now Ltd, SBS Wealth Ltd and SBS Insurance. Mark has a Bachelor of Commerce majoring in Accountancy from the University of Otago and a Post Graduate Diploma in Marketing. He is also a member of Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand, and the Institute of Directors.

Grant Taylor
Chief Technology and Transformation Officer

BArts, Dip Bus Admin (Otago)

Grant Taylor is an accomplished technology executive with over 20 years of experience as a Chief Information Officer (CIO), Chief Technology Officer (CTO), and Chief Digital Officer (CDO), specializing in acquisition & mergers (A&M) and digital transformation.

As the Chief Technology and Transformation Officer at SBS Bank, Grant leads the strategic development and execution of technology initiatives that drive innovation, operational efficiency, and enhanced customer experiences. His expertise lies in aligning technology with business objectives, ensuring seamless digital adoption, and fostering a culture of continuous improvement.

With a passion for leveraging technology to create business value, Grant is dedicated to driving SBS Bank’s digital future while ensuring resilience, security, and customer-centric innovation.

Rowena Thompson
Group Chief Risk Officer

MBA, GAICD

Rowena has 30 years financial services industry experience. She started as the Group Chief Risk Officer in April 2020, with responsibility for risk management and compliance activities across the Group.

Prior to this, Rowena held various leadership roles across New Zealand and Australia from leading customer facing teams through to delivering risk frameworks at a group level.

She has a Master of Business Administration from Southern Cross University and is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Jeff Mitchell
Chief Financial Officer

BCom, BSc, CAANZ 

Jeff is a Chartered Accountant with 20 years’ experience in financial management. Jeff started as Chief Financial Officer for SBS Bank in September 2022, having previously held roles in financial services businesses across New Zealand, Ireland, and England.

As Chief Financial Officer, Jeff is responsible for treasury and capital management, internal and external financial reporting, prudential regulatory affairs, properties and procurement.

Jeff holds a Bachelor of Commerce and Bachelor of Science from Victoria University. He is also a member of Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand.

Shane Evans
General Manager Retail

BCom

Shane started at SBS in May 2022 as Chief Transformation Officer, bringing over 20 years’ experience in NZ, Australia and Europe leading brand, marketing, customer experience and digital transformation strategies in Financial Services. Immediately prior to joining SBS, Shane was with the ASB in Auckland for 11 years and won New Zealand’s Marketer of the Year in 2021. 

In January 2025 he took on the responsibility for leading the Retail Bank including our branch network, direct banking, advisors, contact centre, agri and commercial, whilst also managing the brand and sponsorship portfolio. Shane has a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Otago and is an alumni of Southland Boys High School.
 
Shane is also an independent director for Coin South and the NZ Marketing Association.