About Philippa Watson

Philippa Watson is CEO of ubank, an award-winning digital bank owned by National Australia Bank. Prior to ubank, She held a range of senior executive roles spanning digital banking, technology, operations, customer service, sales, finance, risk management, compliance and strategy. These roles have involved accountability for functions in Australia, USA, UK, China and South Africa. Philippa Watson is passionate about the role organisations can and should play in community wellbeing. She believes that banks should offer customers accessible, uncomplicated, and high-tech banking services to help them be more successful with money. Philippa Watson is a Board Member of Lifeline Australia, a Director of NAB Ventures and a member of Chief Executive Women. Philippa Watson joined the National Australia Bank to lead UBank in June 2020. UBank is one of Australia’s leading digital banks, serving more than 600,000 customers. With the strength and backing of the National Australia Bank, UBank is a pivotal part of the larger bank’s revitalised strategy. Philippa Watson joined UBank having held a range of senior executive roles spanning digital banking, technology, operations, customer service, sales, finance, risk management, compliance and strategy. These roles have involved accountability for functions in Australia, USA, UK, China and South Africa. During her time with CBA, She was heavily involved in the work to solve the challenges the bank faced with AUSTRAC and APRA during 2017-2018 and most recently led one of the bank’s largest frontline teams, Direct Channels. This was a team of approximately 3,000 people across four contact centre businesses including general service, home and unsecured lending, fraud management, collections and hardship.