Rabobank Australia Limited has announced the appointment of James Fazzino as its new chair, succeeding Sir Henry van der Heyden, who will be retiring from the board in March 2024.
Mr Fazzino, who has been a member of the Rabobank Australia Limited board since March 2020, has had an extensive career in senior executive roles in the agribusiness sector and broader business, and is a director of APA Group, Australia’s leading energy infrastructure group, and chair of Manufacturing Australia. He was previously chair of Tassal Limited and served as managing director and chief executive officer at Incitec Pivot Limited from 2009 to 2017. Mr Fazzino is also a co-convenor of three Champions of Change groups.
Announcing the appointment, Rabobank managing board member Wholesale & Rural Els Kamphof said Mr Fazzino’s comprehensive understanding of Rabobank Australia Limited and its market, combined with his extensive experience and knowledge in agribusiness and the wider business environment, made him an ideal successor to take on the role of leading the Australian board.
The world’s leading specialist food and agribusiness bank, Rabobank is one of Australia’s largest agricultural lenders and a major provider of corporate and business banking services to the country’s food and agribusiness sector. The bank also operates online retail savings and deposits business Rabobank Online Savings.
Ms Kamphof thanked retiring Rabobank Australia Limited chair Sir Henry van der Heyden for his "extraordinary tenure and commitment to agriculture" during his six years as chair and almost 12 years on the bank’s board.
“Henry has been an exceptional leader. His dedication and commitment over the years, serving as the chair of Rabobank Australia and contributing to the boards of both Rabobank Australia and Rabobank New Zealand, have been truly remarkable,” she said.
“We greatly appreciate Henry’s invaluable contribution and strong leadership, and his legacy will continue to hold the bank in good stead in Australia as we move forward.”
Reflecting on his time as chair, Sir Henry said it had been enormously rewarding to serve in the role, working with the bank to contribute to the growth and prosperity of Australia’s vital food and agribusiness industries.
Mr Fazzino said he was honoured to be taking on the role of chair of Rabobank Australia Limited.
“Henry has led with distinction and dedication for many years and I look forward to building on the strong foundation he has laid, contributing to the growth and success of the food and agricultural sectors,” he said.
“This is a unique opportunity to contribute to an industry that is not only thriving but also pivotal to our future.”
Other members of Rabobank Australia Limited’s board are Jillian Segal AO, Christine Feldmanis, Geerten Battjes, Lara Yocarini and Rabobank Australia CEO Mark Wiessing.
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About us:
Rabobank Australia & New Zealand Group is a part of the international Rabobank Group, the world’s leading specialist in food and agribusiness banking. Rabobank has more than 120 years’ experience providing customised banking and finance solutions to businesses involved in all aspects of food and agribusiness. Rabobank is structured as a cooperative and operates in 38 countries, servicing the needs of more than nine million clients worldwide through a network of more than 1000 offices and branches. Rabobank Australia & New Zealand Group is one of Australasia’s leading agricultural lenders and a significant provider of business and corporate banking and financial services to the region’s food and agribusiness sector. The bank has 90 branches throughout Australia and New Zealand.
