John Wakefield
About John Wakefield
John Wakefield serves as the Head of Ethics & Compliance at MetLife Australia, bringing over 20 years of experience in regulatory management across various banks. His career includes significant roles at Lloyds Bank, Commonwealth Bank, and ABN AMRO Bank, among others.
Work at MetLife Australia
John Wakefield has been serving as the Head of Ethics & Compliance at MetLife Australia since 2021. In this role, he oversees the company's compliance with ethical standards and regulatory obligations. His responsibilities include developing compliance frameworks and policies, as well as ensuring that the organization adheres to industry regulations. Based in Sydney, New South Wales, he has contributed to enhancing the company's compliance culture over the past three years.
Previous Experience in Compliance
Prior to his current position, John Wakefield held several key roles in compliance across various financial institutions. He worked at Lloyds Bank as Senior Manager Compliance from 2008 to 2014. He also served as Manager of Premium Business Services Compliance at Commonwealth Bank from 2002 to 2005, and as Compliance Manager at DBS Bank from 2015 to 2017. Additionally, he was the Senior Manager of Regulatory Compliance at NAB from 2005 to 2007 and the Country Compliance Head at ABN AMRO Bank N.V. from 2017 to 2021.
Education and Expertise
John Wakefield holds a Bachelor of Business in Banking and Finance from Charles Sturt University, which he completed between 1993 and 1999. He also earned a Graduate Certificate in Psychology of Business and Management from Curtin University from 2019 to 2021. Furthermore, he obtained a Certificate in Financial Markets from FINSIA from 1990 to 1993. His educational background complements his extensive experience in compliance and regulatory management.
Regulatory Engagement and Skills
John Wakefield possesses strong influencing skills and is adept at stakeholder engagement and relationship management. He has significant experience liaising with key regulators, including APRA and ASIC. His expertise includes developing and updating compliance frameworks, policies, and training programs. He has a deep understanding of business imperatives and is skilled in driving regulatory change within organizations.
Career Timeline
John Wakefield's career spans over 20 years in the compliance sector, with roles in various banks and financial institutions. He began his career at Barclays as Manager of the Data Services Group from 1995 to 2001. He then worked at Credit Suisse as a Contractor in the Legal and Compliance Department from 2007 to 2008. His diverse experience across different organizations has equipped him with a comprehensive understanding of regulatory obligations in both local and foreign banking environments.