Top 100 CEO Interviews
Issue No. 52 - April/May 2010
Full credit to Kevin’s strategic legacy
When Community CPS Australia CEO, Kevin Benger announced his retirement in February after more than 12 years at the helm of the growing credit union, it capped a landmark year for the organisation.
Community CPS Chairman, Gary Green, acknowledged Kevin’s “outstanding contribution” in leading the organisation through mergers with industry peers in Western Australia and New South Wales’ Hunter Valley, to make Community CPS the fourth largest credit union in Australia.
“Under Kevin’s leadership Community CPS has grown from a membership base of 80,000 and assets worth $458 million in 1998 to more than 180,000 members with assets exceeding $3 billion in 2009,” Gary says.
Deputy CEO, Robert Keogh stepped up to the CEO role. Robert has held the position of Deputy CEO since Community CPS was formed in 2006. Before that merger he was CEO of CPS Credit Union Co-operative (ACT), one of the two financial institutions merged to create Community CPS Australia.
“Kevin’s strategic management and leadership of more than a decade has helped create one of Australia’s leading credit unions, and it is my mission and responsibility to continue on that path,” Robert says, noting the strategy of delivering maximum value to members and giving back to the communities in which they operate.
Robert has relocated from Canberra to Adelaide to take the position of CEO.
Another interesting aspect of Community CPS Australia is its 2010 Women on Boards Diversity Index listing among the top 10 credit unions and building societies. Some 40% of its board members are female, almost double the industry average.
Chairman, Gary Green says the balanced board is an important ingredient in the credit union’s positive relationships with staff and members and the business’ approach to equality had contributed to a healthy organisational culture.
“As a mutually owned organisation, a balanced board is important to accurately represent...
