20-year ANZ senior marketer exits business

ANZ former head of marketing and marketing centre of expertise lead, Carolyn Bendall, has left the banking group after a 20-year career encompassing a host of senior marketing and divisional positions.

In a comment to CMO, Bendall said it was a hard to leave ANZ, especially given the amazing team and partners she’s built there over the years.

“But the time was right for me to make the move and I’m excited about doing something new with my skills and experience,” she said, noting her desire to find a CMO or marketing and communications position in the longer term.

Her immediate next steps include a short sabbatical with travel, along with some professional study.  

An ANZ spokesperson said the move came after leadership changes within the Australian marketing team. The spokesperson highlighted Bendall's contribution to a raft of global accolades in recent years for the bank's creative and strategic work in advertising, marketing and sponsorships.

"Carolyn’s talent for marketing is self-evident and much of ANZ’s award-winning work over the past 20 years was achieved under Carolyn’s direction. She is leaving very big shoes to fill and we are currently going through the recruiting process," the spokesperson told CMO.

Bendall joined ANZ back in 1998 as a senior product manager for its mortgage business, before switching over to marketing in 2005. After heading up marketing and communications for retail banking, she moved to head of customer segmentation and network marketing, before becoming head of commercial marketing. A stint again leading consumer marketing then led to general manager of marketing for the Australian division for four years.

Read more: CMO interview: ANZ's Carolyn Bendall on gaining customer credit

Most recently, Bendall was responsible for marketing capability, performance and investment management, brand strategy and execution, media planning, sponsorship, network marketing and partner and resources relationships and management as marketing centre of expertise lead and head of marketing for Australia.  

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