Yeah, righto then. Former NSW Premier Mike Baird, who retired from politics last month to spend more time with his sick fam, is moving back into the banking sector.

He was announced today as the new Chief Customer Officer, Corporate and Institutional Banking at NAB, an extremely senior position that will see him in a team of ten other execs who report directly to CEO Andrew Thorburn.

NAB announced his position alongside two other executive appointees, Sharon Cook and Patrick Wright. Thorburn called all three individuals “authentic, inspiring and passionate leaders”, and while we can’t comment Shazza and Pat… Baird? Really?

“Mike, Sharon and Patrick each bring to NAB exceptional track records of performance and delivery and will help accelerate the execution of our strategy so we can deliver for our customers and our shareholders,” he said.

“They are also authentic, inspiring and passionate leaders whose values align with NAB’s values and our ambition to be Australia and New Zealand’s most respected bank.”

The ABC reports that Baird’s pre-politics career was very much in the financial sector, spending almost two decades working in corporate and institutional banking, including 10 years with NAB.

Baird had something of a disaster year last year (lockout laws, the greyhound backflip), but when he resigned in January, he cited the “very serious health challenges” facing his mum, dad and sister as the reason. “At times I have been in pain not being able to spend the time that I should,” he said. “This will change today.” 

So to say Baird’s new gig isn’t being received *too* well is something of an understatement.

Baird has yet to make a statement on his new gig.


Photo: Pacific Press / Getty.

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