SHE is the first female chief executive officer of Newcastle Permanent in its 116-year history, but Bernadette Inglis doesn't view herself as a trailblazer.
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"To be the first female, well, that shows that there is an absolute embracement of diversity by the board," Ms Inglis said on Monday in her first day on the job.
"I am really pleased I will be able to bring my expertise to bear but also bring that gender diversity and female perspective to the leadership."
"Regardless of male or female, there is enormous opportunity in such a wonderful organisation as Newcastle Permanent, so I think to be a trailblazer is continuing to lead the organisation from strength to strength."
On her first day in her new role, however, Ms Inglis, a financial services veteran whose past executive roles include at two of the Big Four, acknowledged her unique perspective and potential influence to come.
"In terms of the leadership and being a female, I think the trailblazing part of that is to really help and support women both in the Newcastle region and very specifically in Newcastle Permanent to reach their potential and enable then to take opportunities to suit their lifestyle and career aspirations," she said.
"I will help to do that for all the people at Newcastle Permanent, but I think because I am a woman my focus on other women will always be there."
Ms Inglis has moved from Sydney, her mother also relocating with her, to take on her new position. She replaced Terry Millett, who left the organisation in December, 2018, and acting CEO Mark Williams, who returns to acting chief customer officer.
Asked what strengths she brings to her role, Ms Inglis cited her extensive experience and expertise in the sector, in roles ranging from executive general manager (business development) at the Commonwealth Bank and, most recently, group general manager (consumer banking) at Westpac.
"The second thing is I have a strong affinity with the customer base ... and [at] Newcastle Permanent our sole purpose is to support and serve our customers," she said.
Feeling an affinity to Newcastle thanks her upbringing on the NSW South Coast, Ms Inglis cited her new employer's community roots as important to her own values.
"Customers, markets and technology are all changing and I bring a strong change agent capability and I'm looking forward to bringing that to the benefit of our customers."
Observing the "significant changes" in the industry in the wake of the banking royal commission, Ms Inglis cited the importance of having a strong vision.
"Our vision is to provide Australia's favourite banking experience," she said, "so if you hold to that vision you develop digital capabilities and the interactions customers want, if you have a values-based organisation, I think it stands us in good stead."
She did, however, acknowledge the mistakes made by the banking industry.
"There are times where we have made mistakes and where we have been perhaps - and I am talking about banking industry - slow to address mistakes," she said.
"I think that is changing and Newcastle Permanent, being a member-based organisation, and here for customers, I think we have a great opportunity to show we are different."
Ms Inglis said the Hunter-headquartered organisation would "continue to develop our digital evolution" for customers but acknowledged the importance of having services for all customers, ranging from branches to digital avenues.
