M&A expert Derek Stanwell joins NRMA board

23 May 2018
Former Morgan Stanley Managing Director and one of Australia’s leading mergers and acquisitions (M&A) advisers Derek Stanwell has joined the NRMA Board as an Appointed non-Executive Director.

Mr Stanwell is currently Managing Director of Northcliff Advisers, which provides corporate advice to financial services clients. Prior to his founding role in the firm, he had almost 20 years’ experience working for global financial services leader Morgan Stanley.

His tenure at Morgan Stanley saw a career path that led to his being Co-Head of the Asia-Pacific Financial Institutions Group for four years. Prior to this Hong Kong based role, he was Head of the Australian Financial Institutions Group. He also spent time running the Australian M&A business.

Mr Stanwell has provided M&A advice on over $100 billion worth of transactions, including some of the region’s largest and industry-defining acquisitions and disposals.

In 2016 NRMA Members voted in favour of an amendment to the company’s constitution, which enabled the Board to appoint up to three non-executive Directors. Mr Stanwell’s appointment will ensure the organisation receives the highest level of counsel and advice on future acquisitions.

Mr Stanwell joins the NRMA Board at a time of significant growth and transformation for the nation’s largest Mutual, with over 2.6 million Members. Since the launch of its new strategy, it has become one of Australia’s largest transport and tourism organisations, including Travelodge, SIXT, Australian Tourist Park Management, and My Fast Ferry.

Mr Stanwell, whose appointment officially commenced on 14 May, said as a long-term Member of the organisation he was excited to join its Board at a time of transformation and growth.

“In a period of accelerating change in the mobility sector, the NRMA has embarked on a transformation of its own and there is an abundance of energy and ambition behind it,” Mr Stanwell said.

“This organisation, with its rich history, strikes a unique balance between commercial ambition and a commitment to broader social values. I look forward to helping in the next phase of its journey.”

NRMA Chairperson Tim Trumper said Mr Stanwell’s extensive leadership and guidance in M&A would be crucial to the NRMA strategic focus on growing its transport and tourism services in Australia while enhancing its core services around roadside assistance and motoring.

“Derek Stanwell is one of Australia’s leading corporate minds and his counsel will be vital to the NRMA as we continue our ambitious strategy,” Mr Trumper said.

“With decades of global leadership experience in M&A and financial services, his role on our Board in helping to identify opportunities and mitigate risk will be vital.

“The NRMA is a little over a year away from its centenary and we are singularly focused on a strategy of transformation to ensure we can keep serving our Members and the community for another hundred years, so Derek’s appointment comes at a particularly exciting time for the NRMA.”