Our Team

Board of Directors

Dr Nicholas Pappas AM Chairman of the Board of Directors

Dr. Pappas, a lawyer, is the Bank’s non-executive Chairman. In addition to this role, he chairs the Bank’s Nominations and Remuneration Committee and serves on the Audit and Budgetary Review Committees. Among other roles, Dr. Pappas is Chairman of South Sydney District Rugby League Football Club Limited (‘the Rabbitohs’) and South Sydney Members Rugby League Club Limited. He also serves on the Boards of the Steve Waugh Foundation – Australia, the Hellenic Club Limited and Melbourne’s Hellenic Museum.

Dr. Pappas is the Honorary Secretary of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocesan Council and a Trustee of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia Consolidated Trust. He was appointed to the General Division of the Order of Australia (AM) in 2013 for services to the Arts, Rugby League & the Greek-Australian community.

Dr Nicholas Pappas AM

Dr. Pappas, a lawyer, is the Bank’s non-executive Chairman. In addition to this role, he chairs the Bank’s Nominations and Remuneration Committee and serves on the Audit and Budgetary Review Committees. Among other roles, Dr. Pappas is Chairman of South Sydney District Rugby League Football Club Limited (‘the Rabbitohs’) and South Sydney Members Rugby League Club Limited. He also serves on the Boards of the Steve Waugh Foundation – Australia, the Hellenic Club Limited and Melbourne’s Hellenic Museum.

Dr. Pappas is the Honorary Secretary of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocesan Council and a Trustee of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia Consolidated Trust. He was appointed to the General Division of the Order of Australia (AM) in 2013 for services to the Arts, Rugby League & the Greek-Australian community.

Ben Edney Chairman of the Board Risk Management Committee

Mr. Edney is Chairman of the Board Risk Management Committee and Credit Review Committee. He is an accomplished finance industry expert with 30 years domestic and international experience with National Australia Bank and KPMG in advisory, risk and restructuring. In addition to his directorship with Bank of Sydney, Mr. Edney is also chairman of Williams Holdings Limited in New Zealand, a director of Nimble Money Limited and Managing Director of Lempriere Capital and agPAY Pty Ltd.

Ben Edney

Mr. Edney is Chairman of the Board Risk Management Committee and Credit Review Committee. He is an accomplished finance industry expert with 30 years domestic and international experience with National Australia Bank and KPMG in advisory, risk and restructuring. In addition to his directorship with Bank of Sydney, Mr. Edney is also chairman of Williams Holdings Limited in New Zealand, a director of Nimble Money Limited and Managing Director of Lempriere Capital and agPAY Pty Ltd.

Nikolas Hatzistergos Chairman of the Board Audit Committee

Mr. Hatzistergos is the Chairman of the Board Audit Committee and Budgetary Review Committee. He is also Executive Chairman of William Buck (NSW) Pty Ltd. He is President of the Hellenic Club Limited and a Director of the Management Board and Member of the Governing Council of Praxity (AISBL). He is also a Director and Chairman of the Audit and Finance Committee for South Sydney District Rugby League Football Club Limited.

Nikolas Hatzistergos

Mr. Hatzistergos is the Chairman of the Board Audit Committee and Budgetary Review Committee. He is also Executive Chairman of William Buck (NSW) Pty Ltd. He is President of the Hellenic Club Limited and a Director of the Management Board and Member of the Governing Council of Praxity (AISBL). He is also a Director and Chairman of the Audit and Finance Committee for South Sydney District Rugby League Football Club Limited.

The Hon Steve Bracks AC Independent Non-Executive Director

The Hon Steve Bracks AC was Premier of Victoria for almost eight years (1999-2007). He now advises several leading Australian finance and service sector corporations. He was appointed Chancellor of Victoria University in May 2021. Mr. Bracks chairs Maurice Blackburn Lawyers, the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) Trust and The Shannon Company. In November 2022 he was appointed by the Australian Government as Australia’s Special Representative for the Greater Sunrise gas project in the Timor Sea. He chaired the Cbus Superannuation Fund from 2009 to 2021.

He is a member of the Australian Republican Movement’s Republican Advisory Panel. Mr. Bracks is an honorary chair of the Trade Union Education Foundation and was an honorary adviser to the Prime Minister of Timor-Leste, Xanana Gusmao from 2007 to 2017.

The Hon Steve Bracks AC

The Hon Steve Bracks AC was Premier of Victoria for almost eight years (1999-2007). He now advises several leading Australian finance and service sector corporations. He was appointed Chancellor of Victoria University in May 2021. Mr. Bracks chairs Maurice Blackburn Lawyers, the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) Trust and The Shannon Company. In November 2022 he was appointed by the Australian Government as Australia’s Special Representative for the Greater Sunrise gas project in the Timor Sea. He chaired the Cbus Superannuation Fund from 2009 to 2021.

He is a member of the Australian Republican Movement’s Republican Advisory Panel. Mr. Bracks is an honorary chair of the Trade Union Education Foundation and was an honorary adviser to the Prime Minister of Timor-Leste, Xanana Gusmao from 2007 to 2017.

Gregory Gav Independent Non-Executive Director

Mr. Gav is Director of Mars Property Group.

Gregory Gav

Mr. Gav is Director of Mars Property Group.

Sarkis Nassif Non-Executive Director

Mr. Nassif is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Holdmark Property Group with a 35 year commitment to the investment, development and construction industries. In 2017, Mr. Nassif was awarded the Property Person of the Year by Urban Taskforce and in 2019, awarded the EBA accolade for best medium to large business. Mr. Nassif also supports significant philanthropic work, benefitting medical, educational, cultural and community organisations within Australia and internationally.

Sarkis Nassif

Mr. Nassif is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Holdmark Property Group with a 35 year commitment to the investment, development and construction industries. In 2017, Mr. Nassif was awarded the Property Person of the Year by Urban Taskforce and in 2019, awarded the EBA accolade for best medium to large business. Mr. Nassif also supports significant philanthropic work, benefitting medical, educational, cultural and community organisations within Australia and internationally.

Fouad Chaker Non-Executive Director

Mr. Chaker is also the Senior Executive Officer at Bank of Beirut, with more than 45 years of banking experience.

Fouad Chaker

Mr. Chaker is also the Senior Executive Officer at Bank of Beirut, with more than 45 years of banking experience.

Roger Dagher Non-Executive Director

Mr. Dagher is also the Group Chief Financial Officer at Bank of Beirut, with more than 30 years of banking experience.

Roger Dagher

Mr. Dagher is also the Group Chief Financial Officer at Bank of Beirut, with more than 30 years of banking experience.

John Elisher General Counsel & Company Secretary

Mr. Elisher joined Bank of Sydney in May 2019 and was appointed as Company Secretary in August 2019. Furthermore, he is a member of the Executive Team and leads the legal department and customer advocacy function in his role as General Counsel.

Mr. Elisher has over 16 years’ legal experience and has previously worked in both private practice and federal government agencies. He holds Bachelor degrees in both Commerce & Law, a Master of Laws and has completed a Corporate Governance Program from Wharton Business School.

John Elisher

Mr. Elisher joined Bank of Sydney in May 2019 and was appointed as Company Secretary in August 2019. Furthermore, he is a member of the Executive Team and leads the legal department and customer advocacy function in his role as General Counsel.

Mr. Elisher has over 16 years’ legal experience and has previously worked in both private practice and federal government agencies. He holds Bachelor degrees in both Commerce & Law, a Master of Laws and has completed a Corporate Governance Program from Wharton Business School.

Executive Team

Melos Sulicich Chief Executive Officer

Melos is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Bank of Sydney, Australia (effective 15 May 2023).

Melos has extensive Australian and international experience within a number of leadership and Board positions. He has proven experience in delivering growth with deep expertise in the banking and financial services sector. His key leadership roles have included; Managing Director and CEO of MyState Ltd, CEO RAMS Financial Group, Non-Executive Director Challenger Bank Limited (member Audit Committee and Risk Committee), Non-Executive Director Australian Banking Association Limited (member Finance, Audit and Risk Committee).

Melos holds a Bachelor of Business from the University of South Australia, is a graduate member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (GAICD), and FINSIA Fellow (F FIN).

Melos Sulicich

Melos is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Bank of Sydney, Australia (effective 15 May 2023).

Melos has extensive Australian and international experience within a number of leadership and Board positions. He has proven experience in delivering growth with deep expertise in the banking and financial services sector. His key leadership roles have included; Managing Director and CEO of MyState Ltd, CEO RAMS Financial Group, Non-Executive Director Challenger Bank Limited (member Audit Committee and Risk Committee), Non-Executive Director Australian Banking Association Limited (member Finance, Audit and Risk Committee).

Melos holds a Bachelor of Business from the University of South Australia, is a graduate member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (GAICD), and FINSIA Fellow (F FIN).

Victor Andersson Chief Financial Officer

Victor is the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and is responsible for managing the Finance, Treasury and Strategy & Execution Planning functions of the Bank. Victor has extensive experience within retail banking, with over 19 years spent in financial and regulatory disciplines across Australia and the UK.

Prior to joining Bank of Sydney in 2019, Victor was a Client Director with Deloitte. He delivered a wide range of assurance and advisory services to the financial services sector in areas including External Audit, Internal Audit, Strategy, Governance, Risk Management and Risk Culture.

Victor holds a Master of Arts (Honours) in International Business from the University of Edinburgh and is a Chartered Accountant with the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland (ICAS).

Victor Andersson

Victor is the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and is responsible for managing the Finance, Treasury and Strategy & Execution Planning functions of the Bank. Victor has extensive experience within retail banking, with over 19 years spent in financial and regulatory disciplines across Australia and the UK.

Prior to joining Bank of Sydney in 2019, Victor was a Client Director with Deloitte. He delivered a wide range of assurance and advisory services to the financial services sector in areas including External Audit, Internal Audit, Strategy, Governance, Risk Management and Risk Culture.

Victor holds a Master of Arts (Honours) in International Business from the University of Edinburgh and is a Chartered Accountant with the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland (ICAS).

Huw Bough Chief Retail Banking Officer

Huw is the Chief Retail Banking Officer (CRBO), responsible for Retail Banking and Third-Party Distribution.

Huw is a seasoned Group Executive with more than 25 years industry experience in distribution, franchising, retail and intermediary channels. He has a deep understanding of business to consumer and business to business channels, with proven experience in successfully driving strategy and execution for both direct and broker channels. His previous roles included: General Manager of Banking MyState Bank, as well as a number of GM roles within the Westpac Group.

He holds a Diploma of Finance, and Mortgage Broking Management.

Huw Bough

Huw is the Chief Retail Banking Officer (CRBO), responsible for Retail Banking and Third-Party Distribution.

Huw is a seasoned Group Executive with more than 25 years industry experience in distribution, franchising, retail and intermediary channels. He has a deep understanding of business to consumer and business to business channels, with proven experience in successfully driving strategy and execution for both direct and broker channels. His previous roles included: General Manager of Banking MyState Bank, as well as a number of GM roles within the Westpac Group.

He holds a Diploma of Finance, and Mortgage Broking Management.

Maria Karavias Chief Marketing Officer

Maria is the Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) and responsible for Brand & Advertising, Customer Value Proposition, Customer Experience and Product Management for Bank of Sydney. Maria has over 25 years’ experience working for many of Australia’s leading companies within financial services, media, retail and business services to deliver exceptional customer and business outcomes.

Maria holds a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Tasmania and an MBA from the University of NSW.

Maria Karavias

Maria is the Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) and responsible for Brand & Advertising, Customer Value Proposition, Customer Experience and Product Management for Bank of Sydney. Maria has over 25 years’ experience working for many of Australia’s leading companies within financial services, media, retail and business services to deliver exceptional customer and business outcomes.

Maria holds a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Tasmania and an MBA from the University of NSW.

Kieran McKenna Chief Risk Officer

Kieran is the Chief Risk Officer (CRO) and is responsible for ensuring Bank of Sydney’s risk management processes effectively protect our customers, employees and key stakeholders.

Kieran is an experienced risk leader with over 30 years’ within the Australian financial services sector, leading and shaping risk and compliance functions to support the achievement of business strategies. His previous leadership roles include: Chief Risk Officer with Cuscal, General Manager, Business Risk – Retail Division with Commonwealth Bank, Head of Risk – Retail (& Wealth) with Westpac Group and a number of key Risk Manager roles with the ASX.

He holds a Master of Business Administration and Advanced Management Program qualification from Macquarie Graduate School of Management (MGSM). He is a Fellow of FINSIA.

Kieran McKenna

Kieran is the Chief Risk Officer (CRO) and is responsible for ensuring Bank of Sydney’s risk management processes effectively protect our customers, employees and key stakeholders.

Kieran is an experienced risk leader with over 30 years’ within the Australian financial services sector, leading and shaping risk and compliance functions to support the achievement of business strategies. His previous leadership roles include: Chief Risk Officer with Cuscal, General Manager, Business Risk – Retail Division with Commonwealth Bank, Head of Risk – Retail (& Wealth) with Westpac Group and a number of key Risk Manager roles with the ASX.

He holds a Master of Business Administration and Advanced Management Program qualification from Macquarie Graduate School of Management (MGSM). He is a Fellow of FINSIA.

Fawaz Sankari Chief Business Banking Officer

Fawaz is the Chief Business Banking Officer (CBBO), responsible for Corporate, Institutional, Trade and International Banking. After joining Bank of Sydney as Head of Commercial Banking in May 2012, Fawaz has held numerous executive roles with the Bank notably Executive General Manager – Commercial, and Chief Banking Officer.

With more than 26 years of banking experience in Retail and Corporate & Institutional Banking, Fawaz has previously held senior executive roles with NAB and CBA Group, and holds directorships on various external boards in both the education and business commerce sectors. Fawaz is a Justice of the Peace Volunteer and holds a Master of Business Administration from the Australian Institute of Management.

Fawaz Sankari

Fawaz is the Chief Business Banking Officer (CBBO), responsible for Corporate, Institutional, Trade and International Banking. After joining Bank of Sydney as Head of Commercial Banking in May 2012, Fawaz has held numerous executive roles with the Bank notably Executive General Manager – Commercial, and Chief Banking Officer.

With more than 26 years of banking experience in Retail and Corporate & Institutional Banking, Fawaz has previously held senior executive roles with NAB and CBA Group, and holds directorships on various external boards in both the education and business commerce sectors. Fawaz is a Justice of the Peace Volunteer and holds a Master of Business Administration from the Australian Institute of Management.

Belinda Sathurayar Chief People Officer

Belinda is the Chief People Officer (CPO) and responsible for driving the people agenda to achieve the Bank’s strategic goals. With over 20 years’ experience in human resource management within professional services, Belinda is a strategic people partner that drives the business throughout the employee lifecycle to attract, engage and retain the right talent in the Bank.

Prior to joining Bank of Sydney, Belinda has held various senior human resource leadership positions within assurance, financial, legal and accounting firms. Belinda has studied at the Australian Human Resources Institute and holds a Diploma in Management at the University of Sydney.

Belinda Sathurayar

Belinda is the Chief People Officer (CPO) and responsible for driving the people agenda to achieve the Bank’s strategic goals. With over 20 years’ experience in human resource management within professional services, Belinda is a strategic people partner that drives the business throughout the employee lifecycle to attract, engage and retain the right talent in the Bank.

Prior to joining Bank of Sydney, Belinda has held various senior human resource leadership positions within assurance, financial, legal and accounting firms. Belinda has studied at the Australian Human Resources Institute and holds a Diploma in Management at the University of Sydney.

Diana Sitnikoski Chief - Credit Operations

Diana is the Chief - Credit Operations (C-CO) and is responsible for Credit Operations, Credit Recovery and Management of Non-performing Loans. Diana joined Bank of Sydney as a Credit Manager in 2005 before assuming her current role in December 2016.

Diana brings with her more than 20 years’ experience in retail and commercial lending, and holds a Bachelor of Economics and a CPA designation.

Diana Sitnikoski

Diana is the Chief - Credit Operations (C-CO) and is responsible for Credit Operations, Credit Recovery and Management of Non-performing Loans. Diana joined Bank of Sydney as a Credit Manager in 2005 before assuming her current role in December 2016.

Diana brings with her more than 20 years’ experience in retail and commercial lending, and holds a Bachelor of Economics and a CPA designation.

Geoff Wenborn Chief Operating Officer

Geoff is the Chief Operating Officer (COO) and responsible for all technology and operations at Bank of Sydney.

Geoff is a seasoned digital innovation and technology leader with extensive experience across multiple industries including Retail, Banking and Finance, Health, Oil and Gas and Utilities. His significant previous roles include: C-level executive technology roles with Westpac, NAB and MLC, CIO with Move Bank, Chief Digital and Technology Officer with People’s Choice Credit Union, CIO with Origin Energy, vendor and consulting roles with SAP and Oracle, and a C-level executive advisor role with Salesforce.

Geoff has had founder, director and advisor responsibilities in multiple IT start-ups and FinTechs. He has also participated on various IT industry and Not for Profit advisory boards including the Starlight Children’s Foundation. Geoff holds a Master of Business Administration from RMIT University and a Bachelor of Science from Monash University.

Geoff Wenborn

Geoff is the Chief Operating Officer (COO) and responsible for all technology and operations at Bank of Sydney.

Geoff is a seasoned digital innovation and technology leader with extensive experience across multiple industries including Retail, Banking and Finance, Health, Oil and Gas and Utilities. His significant previous roles include: C-level executive technology roles with Westpac, NAB and MLC, CIO with Move Bank, Chief Digital and Technology Officer with People’s Choice Credit Union, CIO with Origin Energy, vendor and consulting roles with SAP and Oracle, and a C-level executive advisor role with Salesforce.

Geoff has had founder, director and advisor responsibilities in multiple IT start-ups and FinTechs. He has also participated on various IT industry and Not for Profit advisory boards including the Starlight Children’s Foundation. Geoff holds a Master of Business Administration from RMIT University and a Bachelor of Science from Monash University.