NAB's long-time technology executive Patrick Wright to retire

National Australia Bank is set for a shake-up of its technology leadership with Patrick Wright set to retire after over nine years.

The bank is the last of the ‘Big 4’ to undergo a technology executive change.

NAB said in a statement that Wright, who is group executive for technology and enterprise operations, would leave the executive leadership team on September 30.

He will then serve as a special adviser to NAB Group CEO Andrew Irvine before retiring in the first half of 2027.

Wright will be joined in retirement by NAB’s group chief operating officer Les Matheson, who will leave at the end of September.

The bank has elevated two existing executives to take over aspects of the remits of both Wright and Matheson.

On the technology side, it is Pete Steel -currently group executive for digital, data and AI, who will become the group executive for technology and AI.

Steel only joined NAB in mid-2025, and is best known for a long stint in technology leadership at CBA.

Meanwhile, group executive of transformation Shane Conway will add ‘operations’ to his remit as well.

Irvine thanked both Wright and Matheson for their contributions to the bank.

“[Wright]  joined  NAB  in  2017  and  oversaw  the  transformation  of  our  technology  ecosystem  as  well  as  managing through the rapid rise of cybercrime, online scams and fraud,” Irvine said.

“Our technology is now far more reliable and secure and our customers safer thanks to Patrick and his team. 

“He has always brought a global view of the challenges and opportunities.”

Matheson, meanwhile, “also supported our digital and data expansion and growth in our digital bank Ubank,” Irvine added.

There has been significant change in the technology leadership of the Big 4 banks.

Westpac’s CIO Scott Collary is set to retire this year, with Macquarie Bank’s Richard Heeley brought in as a replacement.

CBA also has a new group CIO in Victoria Ledda, following the departure of Gavin Munroe.

ANZ Banking Group brought in Donald Patra as its new technology leader late last year, following the retirement of Gerard Florian.