Rob Coombe

Rob is the Executive Chairman of Colonial First State, a leading Australian superannuation and wealth management business owned by KKR and CBA.

In addition, he is Chairman of Generation Development Group (previously Executive Chair 2017-2020) an ASX listed financial services company which owns Generation Life, Ascalon Capital and operates a Pooled Development Fund licence.

Rob also Chairs Tibra Capital, a privately owned global multi-strategy hedge fund business, and Expert360, Australia’s leading online talent market place.

Rob is a Board Director of CIMB Group, one of the largest universal banks in the ASEAN region with operations in each of the 10 ASEAN countries. He is also the Board’s sustainability sponsor and Chair.

He is also a member of the Advisory Board of Five V Capital, a leading Australian private equity manager focused on investing in established growth companies across a range of industries.

On top of Rob’s commercial interests, he is a Deputy Chair of the Australian Indigenous Education Foundation (AIEF) and Deputy Chairman of Surfing Australia.

Between 2013 and 2019, Rob was CEO (2013-2017) then Chairman of Craveable Brands, the largest Australian owned Quick Service Restaurant business. Rob’s tenure with this business was during its ownership by Archer Capital and culminated in a successful exit to PAG in August 2019.

Before joining Craveable Brands, Rob was responsible for all of Westpac's Retail, Business and Agri banking operations. Prior to this role, Rob spent six years as the CEO of BT Financial Group, responsible for all of Westpac’s funds management, financial planning, insurance, private banking, broking, platform and superannuation businesses in Australia.

Rob has 40 years’ corporate experience in Australia and Asia, primarily in financial services. He has had extensive experience on the Boards of both listed and private companies.

In 2011 Rob was awarded the prestigious UTS Alumni of the Year for Excellence and in 2021 he was appointed as a Fellow of the university. Both awards were in recognition of his achievements in the business community and social sector.