Finance CEO joins AFCA board

The Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA) has added seasoned financial services executive, Swati Dave, to its board, succeeding founding member Jennifer Darbyshire.

Dave, whose tenure is for three years from 1 September 2023, has enjoyed over three decades of experience in banking and financial services, having held senior positions at National Australia Bank, Deutsche Bank, AMP Henderson Global Investors, Bankers Trust, Westpac and Export Finance Australia.

She has also served as Non-Executive Director on the boards of State Super, Australian Hearing and Great Western Bancorp, Inc. (USA).

“Ms Dave brings to the board a deep commitment to excellence, innovation and social impact,” AFCA’s Independent Chair, Professor John Pollaers OAM, said.

“Her leadership and expertise have enabled her to make significant contributions to the various organisations in which she has served, and we look forward to benefiting from her experience and insights.

“The Board is committed to ensuring that AFCA continues be an effective, efficient, independent and fair external dispute resolution scheme for financial services,” Pollaers said.

“Ms Dave’s diverse experience as an executive and board director will be invaluable as AFCA works to provide clear member and community value”.

Dave joins the financial ombudsman’s board at a time when it has heard 97,000 complaints in the past financial year and has helped gain $1.1 billion in compensation and refunds since November 2018.

“A fair and trusted financial services sector underpins our country’s continued success and I’m excited to be joining the board as we continue to evolve as a world leading ombudsman,” Dave said.