Our team
The Capricornian Bank is led by an experienced team of professionals; responsible for the organisation’s governance, strategic direction
and successful operation.
Board of Directors
The Capricornian’s Board is elected by our members, and consists of directors with extensive experience and areas of profession.
John Siganto
Chairman
L.L.B, Grad Dip Fin Plan
Experience
Capricornian Director since 22 January 2008. Appointed Chair 14 December 2023.
Solicitor.
Responsibilities
Ex-officio Member of the Risk Committee; Ex-officio Member of the Audit Committee; Ex-officio Member of the Governance and Remuneration Committee.
Ian Mill
Director – Independent
Dip H.A.
Experience
Capricornian Director 2005 – 2016. Reappointed as Director 24 August 2020.
Chief Executive Officer Beef Australia, commencing February 2019. Chief Executive Officer Mercy Health and Aged Care CQ Ltd 1997 – 2017.
Responsibilities
Member of the Risk Committee; Chair of the Governance & Remuneration Committee.
Dr. Narelle Pearse
Director – Independent
PhD, BComm, MComm, EMBA, Grad Dip Psychology, Grad Cert Economic Development, FCA, GAICD.
Experience
Associate Director of The Capricornian Bank since 28 September 2020. Capricornian Director since 25 October 2021.
Vice President – Student & Corporate Services and COO of CQUniversity (8 years). Fellow of Chartered Accountants Australia & New Zealand. Former Council Customer CQUniversity (5 years).
Responsibilities
Chair of the Risk Committee; Member of the Audit Committee.
Bronwyn Davies
Director – Independent
Grad Cert Technology (Business Systems), GAICD, CIA, CPA, B.Ec.
Experience
Capricornian Director since December 2023.
Director St Luke’s as Head of Risk and Resilience from March 2025.
Audit, Finance & Risk Committee and Board Chair TAFE QLD (2021-2025), Director Aviation Australia (2021-2025) Non-Executive Director MOVE Bank (2012-2023) and Board Chair (2019-2022). Non-Executive Director Institute of Internal Auditors (2018-2021). Independent customer of Audit and Risk Committees of Federal Government agencies.
Previously General Manager Audit within rail organisations, and Head of Audit, Risk & Compliance of mutual owned banks.
Responsibilities
Member of the Audit Committee; Member of the Governance and Remuneration Committee.
Derek Lightfoot
Director – Independent
FAICD, FCA, BCom
Experience
Derek has 18 years’ experience in the banking industry in Australia and the UK with KPMG, Bank of Queensland Limited and The Rock Building Society Limited. His roles include MD, CEO, and CFO at The Rock and several executive roles at BOQ, such as Head of Information Technology, Head of Operations, Head of Procedures and Research and EDP Audit Manager. Derek has 12 years audit and risk management experience with KPMG in Brisbane and London and as a customer of the Rockhampton City Council Audit Committee. Derek is the Chair of Capricorn Enterprise and has had experience as a director of several companies over the past 18 years.
Responsibilities
Chair of Audit Committee; Member of Risk Committee.
Timothy Rivett
Director – Independent
LLB BIT Grad Dip Legal Prac, Grad Cert App Finance
Capricornian Director since August 2026.
Career Solicitor and IT Professional with broad experience across various sectors of technology and legal services (private practice and Government).
Responsibilites
Member of the Risk Committee; Member of the Governance & Remuneration Committee
Leadership Team
Get to know The Capricornian’s Leadership Team.
Peter Graham Olrich
Acting CEO
Dip FS, Dip FS CUD, FAICD, FAMI
Experience
Capricornian Director – 23 December 2016 to 31 July 2026.
Chair of Regional Australia Bank – November 2014 to current. Director of Regional Australia Bank – July 2011 to current. Director and (Chair of Risk) Summerland Bank – February 2010 to November 2020. Management Consultant – OLR Management Services – March 2009 to June 2019. Former CEO of Bank Australia – December 1994 to October 2008.
Responsibilities
Member of the Risk Committee; Member of the Governance & Remuneration Committee.
Michelle Alexander
Chief Financial Officer
B.Bus (Accounting), CPA
Following the commencement of a Bachelor of Business at Central Queensland University in 1998, Michelle began working with The Capricornian Bank in 2001. Michelle completed the remainder of her degree whilst working at The Capricornian Bank.
Having worked in roles as Assistant Accountant, Financial Accountant and Finance Manager, Michelle was appointed as Chief Financial Officer in 2018.
Michelle worked previously as a Trainee Accountant with Arthur Birkbeck and Associates.
Justin Stewart
Chief Customer Officer
Certificate IV Training & Assessment, Diploma of Retail Banking, Certificate IV Broker & Banking studies, Certificate IV Finance & Mortgage Broking, Diploma of Finance & Mortgage Broking
Justin Stewart began his banking journey straight after graduating from Emmaus College in 2007. He joined The Rock Building Society, where he spent 13 years as the organisation evolved into MyState Bank.
In 2020, Justin joined The Capricornian Bank, bringing with him a wealth of experience across the finance industry. Over the years, he has held a variety of roles including Teller, Team Leader, Training, Operations and Retention, Sales and Operations, and most recently Head of Retail Banking and Third Party.
Now, as Chief Customer Officer, Justin leads initiatives to enhance customer experiences and ensure our teams deliver the highest level of service. His career reflects a strong dedication to supporting people and building lasting relationships with customers and communities.
You can connect with Justin on LinkedIn.
Tristan Kipling
Chief Risk Officer
Certificate IV in Financial Services (Finance/Mortgage Broking), Diploma of Finance and Mortgage Broking Management.
Tristan commenced employment with The Capricornian Bank in January 2002. In his time with The Capricornian Bank Tristan has worked in roles as Loans Administration Officer, Branch Support Officer and Acting Branch Manager – Emerald.
In November 2013 Tristan was appointed as Head of The Capricornian Bank’s Risk and Compliance Function.
Trent Ludkin
Chief Information Officer
Bachelor of Criminology UNE, Bachelor of International Relations and Political Studies UNE, Master of Strategic Studies ANU, Master of Business Administration (Data and Cyber Management) ANU, Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (GAICD).
Trent joined The Capricornian Bank as Chief Information Officer in January 2025. Before stepping into this role, he spent 17 years working across the Defence Industry, including time with the Royal Australian Navy, Fujitsu, Kobold Systems, Lockheed Martin, Nova Systems, and Jacobs Australia. Over the years, Trent has led strategic projects for both private and public sector organisations, including work with state and federal government partners. He’s also played a key role in certifying cybersecurity platforms and securing information management certifications in Australia, Singapore, and the UK. Trent is an active member of ISACA and currently serves on the board of the Parenting Research Centre.
Nicole Constable
Manager, People and Culture
Cert IV in Human Resources, Cert IV in Financial Services, Cert III in Financial Services
Nicole started her career with The Capricornian Bank in March 2002. In her time with the bank Nicole has worked as a Loans Administration Officer, Business Development Officer and Payroll Officer over the span of 12 years. From there Nicole was appointed as the Human Resources Manager, and has remained in this Leadership Manager position for over eight years.
Amanda Latimer
Executive Assistant
Amanda commenced in the role of Executive Assistant with The Capricornian Bank on 9 February 2015. Prior to starting with The Capricornian Bank, Amanda worked in the legal industry as a Legal Assistant.
Amanda provides assistance to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), while managing support to the Board of Directors and greater Leadership Team.
Amanda is integral to the organisation, covering an extensive range of internal, external and compliance related responsibilities.
Why Choose The Capricornian Bank?
Here for Good
Helped locals achieve their dreams for over 60 years.
It’s all about you
Helping you achieve your dreams, big and small.
Community Minded
We give back to the community. We live, work and play locally.
