Our people

Lewis Ramsay

Chair

B Bus (Com); MBA; GAICD

A fifth-generation Townsville resident, Lewis is a former General Manager of the Townsville Bulletin and surrounding regional newspapers. Lewis has also worked for the Federal Government in Canberra (Tourism portfolio), served as the Commercial Manager for the North Queensland Cowboys and the Brisbane Broncos Rugby League Clubs, and spent nearly two years as Director, Commercial of Brisbane Marketing (Brisbane’s Office of Economic Development.) Over the past 15 years he has held Director positions on a range of local boards and committees including Queensland Country Health Fund Ltd, Mater Health NQ, the Townsville Water Security Taskforce and as Chair of the Townsville City Deal Stakeholder Reference Group. Lewis currently holds a non-executive Directorship with the North Queensland Cowboys where he has sat as the current Board Chair since 2020.

John Weier

Deputy Chair

Dip FS; GAICD; FAMI

John is an Ipswich local who began his career in the credit union industry at the Coal Miners Credit Union (later Discovery Credit Union) in 1980, before being appointed General Manager in 1981 and holding that position for 27 years. Discovery Credit Union merged with Queenslanders Credit Union in December 2007, and John led Queenslanders Credit Union as Chief Executive Officer from January 2008 until the merger of that organisation with Queensland Country Credit Union in April 2018. John remains actively involved in the Ipswich area through his membership of various sporting and community groups.

Gregory (Greg) Nucifora

B Com; CA; GAICD

Greg is a private client advisor with Bell Potter Securities in Cairns. Greg has extensive Board experience, including current appointments as Director on the Board of the Australian Reinsurance Pool Corporation, Director and Finance & Performance Committee Chair of the Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health Board, Chair of St Michael’s Parish Finance Committee, Gordonvale, Chair of the Catholic Development Fund for Diocese of Cairns, and Chair of the Finance and Audit Risk Management Committee for Tourism Tropical North Queensland. Greg was formerly Chair of ECU Australia Ltd, which merged with Queensland Country Credit Union in April 2017. Greg was previously a Director of Queensland Country Health Fund Ltd.

Patricia O'Callaghan

B Com; GAICD

Patricia is the Chief Executive Officer of Tourism and Events Queensland. Patricia’s diverse career includes four years heading up the Mount Isa Chamber of Commerce, four years as the General Manager of Tourism and Events at Townsville Enterprise, and five years as the CEO of Townsville Enterprise. Patricia has been awarded during her career the Young Manager of the Year through the Australian Institute of Management and the Australian Financial Review Young BOSS Executive of the Year, and is a graduate of the Australian-American Young Leadership Dialogue. Patricia was previously a Director of Queensland Country Health Fund Ltd.

Karen Read

B Bus; FCPA; GAICD; MAMI

Karen is a senior finance and commercial executive and has extensive experience within the mining and resources sector with a career spanning 30 years. From 2014 to 2017, Karen was employed as the Chief Financial Officer for Premise, a consulting, engineering, and project practice. Karen has extensive Board experience including the following current positions: Director of Mount Isa Water, Director of Queensland Country Health Fund Pty Ltd, Director of Wesley Research Institute , Director of Isa Rodeo Limited, Member of the Copperstring 2032 Regional Reference Group, and Deputy Chair of NQ Branch Council of CPA Australia.

Karl Grant

MBA, GAICD

Karl is an experienced Executive and Director with a background in technology and cyber security. Karl was previously CEO of one of Queensland Country Bank’s primary technology providers, Data Action Pty Ltd, and a Director at key digital supplier Fusion Enterprise Pty Ltd. Prior to this time Karl spent nearly two decades at the US multi-national company, HP (Hewlett Packard), in various national and international roles across many sectors, including Banking and Financial Services.  

Aileen Cull

FCPA, GAICD, Diploma of Business (Accounting), Graduate Diploma Applied Finance and Investment

Aileen has held a variety of roles at Queensland Country Bank, including 10 years as Chief Executive Officer. Since 2019 Aileen has worked part-time in a small manufacturing business and is currently Chair of Ronald McDonald House North Australia and a member of Copperstring 2032 Regional Reference Group. Aileen brings to the Board a detailed knowledge and appreciation of the history of Queensland Country, and strong relationships with key stakeholders across Queensland and within Australia.

Aaron Newman

Chief Executive Officer

Aaron Newman has extensive experience in the banking and health insurance sectors. Commencing his career at Westpac, then moving to Metway Bank (which is now called Suncorp), and Bank of Queensland before settling in at Queensland Country in 2004. Aaron was appointed to the position of General Manager Health Insurance in 2007, and became the CEO of the Health Fund in January 2017. Aaron was then appointed to group CEO of Queensland Country Bank in 2019.

Over the years, Aaron has been actively involved in developing long-term strategy for Queensland Country Bank and Queensland Country Health Fund, with both organisations seeing strong, sustainable growth as a result of his strategic leadership.

Aaron is a firm believer in the Member-owned structure where the shareholder is the customer, and giving back to the community.

Petrice Gould

Chief Financial Officer

B Com, FCPA, GAICD

Petrice has been with Queensland Country since April 2002, when she joined as a Contract Accountant. In January 2003 she took up the role of Financial Controller and then moved into the Chief Financial Officer position in November 2007. Petrice studied commerce at JCU, becoming a CPA qualified accountant in 1999. Her career started in public practice as a tax accountant, before working overseas in London for two years. She joined Queensland Country upon her return to Australia. 

Shawn Anderson

Chief Transformation Officer

MBA/GAICD/Dip Fin Ser

Shawn joined Queensland Country in October 2001 as a trainee at the Aitkenvale Branch and spent a decade as Credit Manager before moving into various executive roles. He managed key projects, including system conversions and mergers, and served as Chief Risk Officer from October 2017 to September 2022. Now as Chief Transformation Officer, Shawn leads the digital transformation efforts, overseeing ICT, Data, and Transformation teams. He holds an MBA and is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, and is committed to enhancing member and staff experiences.

Andrew McArdle

Chief Products and Marketing Officer 

BBus (Acc/Fin) FCPA

Andrew McArdle joined our team in September 2015 as the General Manager for Retail Banking. Before joining us, he served as the General Manager for Sales and Distribution at another Queensland-based financial institution for two and a half years. Andrew brings a wealth of experience in the banking industry, having worked in various roles including Retail Banking, State Office Management, Strategic Planning, Operations, Regulation, Compliance, and both Commercial and Retail Lending. Most recently, Andrew has been appointed as the Chief Products and Marketing Officer, where he is now focusing on products and marketing that help shape the strategic direction of the organisation. 

Dylan Dixon

Chief Operating Officer

MPA (as in Master of Professional Accounting)

Dylan commenced with Queensland Country as a Branch Manager in May 2011 following seven years with a major bank. Since that time, he has held roles within the organisation including Product Manager, Head of Credit and Fraud, General Manager Support Services and Executive Manager Corporate Services. Dylan completed a Master of Professional Accounting from James Cook University in 2022. In his current role as Chief Operating Officer, Dylan holds responsibility for Credit, Member Support, Fraud, Operations, SmartBudget, Facilities, and Procurement.

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Katherine Brennan

Chief People & Culture Officer

B. Beh Sci; B. Psych (Hons)

Katherine joined Queensland Country Bank in 2007 and leads the organisation’s People and Culture initiatives. Registered as a Psychologist, she spent years consulting with organisations across every sector in the field of organizational psychology, before taking her skills and experience into an inhouse practitioner role. Katherine has a love of working with people and seeing people engaged and fulfilling their potential. Her current portfolio includes Human Resources, Capability, Employee Engagement and Internal Communications, Sustainability and Project Governance. She holds two degrees from Griffith University, a Bachelor of Behavioural Science and a Bachelor of Psychology (Honours).

Kirsten Atkinson

Chief Risk Officer

BA/ BL; Masters in AML/ CTF

Kirsten relocated from Brisbane to Townsville to join Queensland Country as Head of Legal and Compliance in 2018. In 2022, she served as Interim Chief Risk Officer (CRO) and officially assumed the role in 2023. Kirsten is responsible for overseeing the organisation's Legal, Risk, Compliance, Anti-Money Laundering (AML), and Internal Audit functions.

Glenn Seri

Chief Customer Officer 

GAICD

Glenn has spent 20 years in Executive Management roles with Queensland Country Group, overseeing the Queensland Country Health Fund since April 2019. Notable achievements include leading the Queensland Country Centre construction in 2014 and the Queenslanders Credit Union merger in 2018. More recently, Glenn played a significant role in the sale of the Health Fund to HBF. Glenn is dedicated to exceptional member service and strong community relationships, guiding Queensland Country Health Fund to significant growth and success. Glenn holds an MBA from James Cook University, and he champions the Member-owned model, where customers are valued shareholders.

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