CEO Andrew Irvine outlines succession plans as Inder Singh prepares to join as Group CFO. National Australia Bank has unveiled key changes to its Executive Leadership Team, marking the beginning of a carefully managed leadership transition. Long serving executive Shaun Dooley has confirmed he will retire by the end of 2026 after more than three decades with the bank. The announcement comes as NAB prepares to welcome incoming Group Chief Financial Officer Inder Singh in early March.
A Planned Transition at a Pivotal Time
National Australia Bank, one of the country’s largest financial institutions, confirmed on 24 February 2026 that long standing Group Executive Shaun Dooley intends to retire by the end of 2026. The move signals a structured evolution of the bank’s senior leadership team under Group Chief Executive Officer Andrew Irvine.
Dooley, a 33 year veteran of NAB, has served as Group Chief Risk Officer since 2018 and has also held the position of acting Group Chief Financial Officer since March 2025. His dual responsibilities placed him at the center of the bank’s risk oversight and financial stewardship during a period marked by economic uncertainty and regulatory scrutiny.
The bank confirmed that a formal recruitment process will begin for the Group Chief Risk Officer role, ensuring a smooth and deliberate succession plan ahead of Dooley’s departure.
Recognising a 33 Year Career
Shaun Dooley’s career at NAB spans more than three decades, a tenure that reflects deep institutional knowledge and sustained leadership across multiple business cycles. As Group Chief Risk Officer, he has overseen the bank’s risk management framework during periods of heightened regulatory expectations and evolving macroeconomic conditions.
In March 2025, Dooley stepped into the additional role of acting Group Chief Financial Officer, reinforcing the executive team during a transitional phase. That appointment underscored the board’s confidence in his experience and steady leadership.
Chief Executive Officer Andrew Irvine praised Dooley’s contribution, describing him as an outstanding figure in both NAB and the broader banking sector. Irvine noted that Dooley is widely respected within the industry and will be deeply missed when he retires at the end of next year.
Importantly, the timeline of Dooley’s retirement allows NAB to plan methodically. Rather than an abrupt departure, the bank is positioning the change as a phased transition designed to protect continuity in risk oversight and financial management.
Inder Singh to Join as Group CFO
A key component of the transition is the arrival of Inder Singh, who was announced in August 2025 as NAB’s incoming Group Chief Financial Officer and Group Executive Strategy. Singh will officially commence his role on 2 March 2026.
Upon Singh’s arrival, Dooley will revert exclusively to his responsibilities as Group Chief Risk Officer, allowing for a clear delineation of duties as the bank prepares for its next leadership chapter.
Andrew Irvine described Singh as a high calibre executive joining the bank at an exciting time. His combined remit covering finance and strategy suggests NAB is aligning financial discipline closely with long term growth planning. The consolidation of finance and strategic oversight under a single executive may help sharpen capital allocation decisions and support the bank’s broader transformation objectives.
Strengthening Customer Focus and Growth
In outlining the leadership changes, Irvine emphasized that the transition forms part of NAB’s broader ambition to evolve its senior executive team. The goal is to drive greater customer focus and business growth across retail, business and institutional banking segments.
As one of Australia’s major banks, National Australia Bank operates in a competitive environment shaped by digital disruption, regulatory demands and shifting customer expectations. Strengthening leadership capability at the executive level is central to navigating these pressures while pursuing sustainable growth.
The announcement frames the transition not as a response to performance challenges, but as a proactive step in long term succession planning. By confirming Dooley’s retirement nearly a year in advance and formalizing Singh’s start date, the bank is seeking to reassure stakeholders of continuity and stability.
Market Context and Investor Perspective
National Australia Bank Limited trades on the Australian Securities Exchange under the ticker NAB. Recent analyst coverage places the stock at a Hold rating with a price target of A$50.00, reflecting a balanced outlook on the bank’s near term prospects.
Leadership transitions at major financial institutions often attract close scrutiny from investors, particularly when they involve key risk and finance roles. In NAB’s case, the extended timeline and pre announced succession plan may mitigate uncertainty. Clear communication around executive changes is typically viewed positively by markets, especially when linked to strategic priorities such as customer focus and growth.
The fact that Dooley will remain with the bank until the end of 2026 provides continuity in risk governance, a critical consideration in a sector where capital strength and compliance frameworks are paramount.
A Bank in Evolution
National Australia Bank provides a broad suite of banking and financial services across retail, business and institutional markets. Its operations span lending, deposits, payments and risk management products, serving customers throughout Australia and selected international markets.
As the banking landscape continues to evolve, leadership capability becomes an increasingly important differentiator. The combination of an experienced risk leader guiding the transition and a new chief financial officer tasked with aligning strategy and financial performance suggests a deliberate recalibration rather than a wholesale overhaul.
Andrew Irvine’s remarks underscore this measured approach. By highlighting both Dooley’s legacy and Singh’s future contribution, he positioned the changes as part of a natural leadership cycle within a mature institution.
Looking Ahead to 2026 and Beyond
With Shaun Dooley set to retire at the end of 2026, NAB has nearly a year to execute a seamless handover of one of its most critical executive functions. The recruitment of a new Group Chief Risk Officer will be closely watched, given the role’s central importance in safeguarding the bank’s balance sheet and reputation.
Meanwhile, Inder Singh’s arrival in March marks the next step in shaping NAB’s strategic direction. As Group Chief Financial Officer and Group Executive Strategy, he will play a central role in guiding capital management, performance metrics and long term growth initiatives.
Taken together, the announced changes reflect a bank intent on orderly succession, strategic clarity and sustained performance. For employees, customers and investors alike, the message is one of continuity combined with renewal. NAB is signaling that while respected leaders may move on, the institution’s focus on disciplined management and customer driven growth remains firmly in place.
Written By: Lydia Kelly
Published: 24th February 2026