Australian Unity Executive and Leadership Team

August, 2026

Leadership Overview

Australian Unity has 6 executives leading key functions including technology, finance, operations, banking, wealth management, and human resources.

Focused on holistic wellbeing, Australian Unity delivers sustainable health and financial services to empower members and the broader community through a purpose-driven social enterprise model.

Leadership Roles at Australian Unity

  • Chief Executive Officer, Australian Unity Bank - Matthew Ricker
  • Chief Executive Officer, Wealth & Capital Markets - Esther Kerr-Smith
  • Chief Financial Officer - Darren Mann
  • Chief Technology Officer - Paul Lewis
  • Chief of Staff - Billy Falkingham
  • Chief People Officer, Corporate & Financial Services - Kellie Crouch
  • Matthew Ricker - Chief Executive Officer, Australian Unity Bank

    Matthew Ricker, the Chief Executive Officer, Australian Unity Bank at Australian Unity, leads the banking division with a focus on providing financial wellbeing solutions to members. Ricker directs the development of banking products that integrate seamlessly with the company's health and care services. By overseeing lending, deposits, and customer service operations, the Chief Executive Officer, Australian Unity Bank ensures that financial offerings remain accessible and supportive of member needs. Matthew Ricker collaborates with other executives to align banking strategies with the overall social enterprise mission. This leadership role involves managing regulatory requirements and driving growth in the competitive financial services sector. Through strategic market positioning, the Chief Executive Officer, Australian Unity Bank enhances the financial stability of the member base. Ricker focuses on delivering personalized banking experiences that empower individuals to manage their wealth effectively, contributing to the holistic wellbeing approach championed by the organization.

    Esther Kerr-Smith - Chief Executive Officer, Wealth & Capital Markets

    Esther Kerr-Smith, the Chief Executive Officer, Wealth & Capital Markets at Australian Unity, oversees the investment and wealth management portfolios. Kerr-Smith directs strategies to grow member assets while maintaining a focus on sustainable and ethical investment practices. By managing capital markets activities, the Chief Executive Officer, Wealth & Capital Markets ensures that the organization generates the returns necessary to support its social enterprise objectives. Esther Kerr-Smith works with investment teams to identify opportunities that align with the company's commitment to health and wealth. This leadership role involves navigating complex market conditions to protect and enhance member capital. Through strategic oversight of wealth management operations, the Chief Executive Officer, Wealth & Capital Markets drives long-term financial security for the community. Kerr-Smith ensures that investment decisions reflect the holistic wellbeing philosophy, providing members with the tools to achieve their personal financial goals within a stable and responsible framework.
    Esther Kerr-Smith

    Darren Mann - Chief Financial Officer

    Darren Mann, the Chief Financial Officer at Australian Unity, manages the financial health and capital allocation strategies of the organization. Mann oversees fiscal planning, reporting, and risk management to ensure the sustainability of the company's wellbeing products and services. By optimizing the balance sheet, the Chief Financial Officer supports the reinvestment of profits into community-focused initiatives. Darren Mann works closely with the Board to maintain financial transparency and regulatory compliance across all business units. This leadership role involves driving long-term value creation while balancing the needs of members with the requirements of a social enterprise. Through rigorous financial oversight, the Chief Financial Officer ensures the organization remains resilient in a competitive market. Mann directs capital deployment to fuel growth in health and wealth sectors, ultimately strengthening the financial stability required to deliver on the core mission of supporting member wellbeing.
    Darren Mann

    Paul Lewis - Chief Technology Officer

    Paul Lewis, the Chief Technology Officer at Australian Unity, directs the digital transformation strategy to enhance member wellbeing services. Lewis architects scalable cloud infrastructure and cybersecurity frameworks to protect sensitive health and financial data across the organization. By modernizing legacy systems, the Chief Technology Officer improves operational efficiency and enables seamless digital interactions for members. Paul Lewis collaborates with other C-suite leaders to integrate advanced data analytics into the core business model, ensuring technology investments directly support the company's social enterprise mission. Overseeing large-scale IT initiatives, the Chief Technology Officer drives innovation across the Australian market, ensuring robust platform performance. This leadership role involves managing complex technical roadmaps that align with long-term corporate goals. Through consistent technological advancement, Lewis secures the digital foundation necessary for delivering high-quality care and financial products to the community.

    Billy Falkingham - Chief of Staff

    Billy Falkingham, the Chief of Staff at Australian Unity, coordinates strategic initiatives and facilitates communication across the executive leadership team. Falkingham manages the operational rhythm of the office, ensuring alignment between departmental goals and the broader organizational mission. By streamlining decision-making processes, the Chief of Staff enables the C-suite to focus on high-impact projects related to health, wealth, and care. Billy Falkingham acts as a central point of contact for cross-functional projects, driving collaboration between diverse business units. This leadership role involves monitoring progress on key corporate objectives and providing actionable insights to the executive team. Through effective project management and stakeholder engagement, the Chief of Staff supports the execution of the company's wellbeing strategy. Falkingham ensures that organizational resources remain focused on delivering positive outcomes for members, maintaining the integrity of the social enterprise model throughout all internal operations.

    Kellie Crouch - Chief People Officer, Corporate & Financial Services

    Kellie Crouch, the Chief People Officer, Corporate & Financial Services at Australian Unity, leads the human resources strategy to foster a high-performance culture. Crouch directs talent acquisition, employee development, and organizational design to support the company's mission. By implementing programs that prioritize employee wellbeing, the Chief People Officer, Corporate & Financial Services ensures that the workforce remains engaged and aligned with the social enterprise values. Kellie Crouch collaborates with leadership to build inclusive environments that attract top talent across the corporate and financial sectors. This leadership role involves managing performance management systems and driving cultural initiatives that promote diversity and professional growth. Through strategic workforce planning, the Chief People Officer, Corporate & Financial Services supports the operational scale of the organization. Crouch ensures that the internal culture reflects the external commitment to health and care, empowering staff to deliver exceptional service to members and the broader community.

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    Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Australian Unity Top Executives and Leadership Team

    Who leads Australian Unity?
    Australian Unity is led by Matthew Ricker (Chief Executive Officer, Australian Unity Bank), along with executives such as Esther Kerr-Smith (Chief Executive Officer, Wealth & Capital Markets) and Darren Mann (Chief Financial Officer).
    Who is part of Australian Unity’s executive team?
    The executive team of Australian Unity includes leaders such as Matthew Ricker (Chief Executive Officer, Australian Unity Bank), Esther Kerr-Smith (Chief Executive Officer, Wealth & Capital Markets), Darren Mann (Chief Financial Officer) and other senior executives.
    How many executives does Australian Unity have?
    Australian Unity has 6 executives leading key business areas.
    What roles are included in Australian Unity’s leadership team?
    The leadership team of Australian Unity includes roles such as Chief Executive Officer, Australian Unity Bank, Chief Executive Officer, Wealth & Capital Markets, Chief Financial Officer, Chief Technology Officer, Chief of Staff.