BCCM names its 2024 Honour Roll inductees

22 October 2024

Eight outstanding leaders of Australian co-operatives and mutuals have been added to the BCCM Honour Roll for 2024, with this year’s inductees coming from banking and financial services, agriculture, medico-legal services and automotive industries.

Together they represent the breadth of the sector and the wide-ranging impact that co-operatives and mutuals have across Australia.

The Business Council of Co-operatives and Mutuals recognises the exceptional leadership of:

Andrew Lacey, Director of Almondco
Ian Anderson, CEO, MDA National
Brian Bennett, Former Chair, Australian Mutuals Foundation
Bernie Lloyd, Chair, Bank First
Kerry Betros, Deputy Chair, People First Bank
Nigel Ampherlaw, Chair, Great Southern Bank
Kathryn Westwood, former President and Chair, RACT
David Fraser, Group CEO, Capricorn Society

The honours will be conferred at an event to mark the BCCM’s annual Leaders’ Summit in Perth this evening.

2024 BCCM Honour Roll inductees with Melina Morrison

BCCM CEO Melina Morrison said: “The Honour Roll is our ‘hall of fame’. It recognises leadership and the outstanding dedication these people have to their industries and to the co-operatives and mutuals sector.

“Our 2024 recipients are shining examples of the compassion, resilience and integrity that are the hallmarks of outstanding leadership across our sector. These attributes have guided our leaders as they worked tirelessly to assist their members through many challenges, whether it be fire and flood, or cost of living pressures. Leadership of the calibre demonstrated by this year’s inductees to the BCCM Honour Roll has meant the focus of our co-ops and mutuals is always on the member.

“This year we welcome eight more exceptional people who have translated their passion for co-operatives and mutuals into a lifetime dedication to the sector.”

Almondco’s Andrew Lacey is a leading authority on almond growing and has devoted more than five decades to profoundly shaping the almond industry. His influence extends well beyond his orchards, pioneering the cultivation of new almond varieties, modernising farming practices and irrigation technologies and holding directorships in the industry.

“His leadership and business acumen, since joining the Board in 1994, has helped Almondco evolve into one of the most respected almond marketers and processors globally,” Ms Morrison said.

Ian Anderson has spent nearly a decade at the helm of MDA National, which provides medico-legal advice, support services, and professional indemnity insurance to over 54,000 medical practitioners across Australia.

“Ian has drawn upon his extensive experience in the private sector and government healthcare sector to strengthen MDA National and leave an indelible mark on the healthcare industry,” Ms Morrison said.

Brian Bennett, of the Australian Mutuals Foundation (AMF), has been involved in the co-ops and mutuals sector for five decades – through numerous credit unions including as CEO of Encompass Credit Union, where he negotiated a merger with Select Credit Union.

Brian co-founded the AMF, a charity supporting disadvantaged children in Australia and fostering credit union development in Asia, and playing a pivotal role in alleviating poverty in Laos and Timor-Leste. “Brian has devoted his life to the mutual sector – in his successful career and in his commitment to giving back through the AMF,” Ms Morrison said.

From her time as a member of the Victoria Teacher’s Credit Union to Chair of Bank First, Bernie Lloyd has remained connected to the co-ops and mutuals sector. During her tenure at Bank First, the bank doubled its assets, loans and deposit portfolios while fostering a strong connection to the community.

“Under her leadership, the bank extended its niche market to include nurses and allied health professionals in 2018 and appointed its first female CEO in 2020. She has played a crucial role in ensuring Bank First evolved with the times,” Ms Morrison said.

Kerry Betros retires as Deputy Chairman of People First Bank in November after 33 years in the sector. As Chairman of Heritage Bank from 2012, he guided the bank for 11 years until its merger with People’s Choice Credit Union and emergence as the new People First Bank. “His tenure was marked by vision and leadership, and continuous innovation,” said Ms Morrison.

Kerry is also Managing Director of the Darling Downs-based family fruit and vegetable business, Betros Bros, and has served on numerous boards and organisations, winning many accolades including a Centenary Medal, AM and honorary doctorate.

Nigel Ampherlaw has been Chairman of Great Southern Bank, one of Australia’s largest and oldest customer-owned banks, since 2017, through a time of change and upheaval in financial services. He enhanced digital banking through a partnership with fintech Constantinople and strengthened governance and organisational culture.

“Nigel ensured the bank remained true to its core purpose of helping all Australians own their homes,” Ms Morrison said. “He leaves the bank, and the sector, stronger and more resilient.”

Kathryn Westwood was one of the vanguard of female directors at RACT on her appointment in 2006 and, as Vice-President and later President (2016-2021), was integral to it becoming the modern mutual organisation it is today. “Kathryn has been a passionate supporter of members, of road safety and the important role RACT can play in the Tasmanian community,” Ms Morrison said. “It was through her vision that RACT acquired Tasmania’s only insurance underwriter RACT Insurance.”

Capricorn CEO David Fraser, who retires this year after 38 years in the automotive industry, leaves a remarkable legacy of dedication and leadership in the co-operatives and mutuals sector. Capricorn now boasts more than 30,000 members across Australia and New Zealand and is Australia’s third largest co-operative. It delivered $3.73bn in member purchases and $222.3m in group revenue in the 2024 financial year, with a member value return of $92.3m.

“David has a deep commitment to collective action and shared ownership, a belief which has driven his strategic decisions and a key reason why Capricorn is thriving,” Ms Morrison said. “He has also been a tireless, passionate and powerful advocate for our sector.”

“All eight inductees possess the sort of leadership qualities that make them most worthy inclusions on the Honour Roll,” Ms Morrison said. “Their vision and dedication to the ideal of a democratically run business serve not just their memberships but the broader communities in which they operate.”

About the BCCM

The BCCM is the peak industry body representing co-operatives and mutuals in Australia. It is a member funded and driven organisation representing co-operatives and mutuals in all industries. The Council’s 96 members have more than 12.8 million members, including 60,000 businesses, combined.