Former Telstra CEO Ziggy Switkowski has joined the board of Queensland-based Suncorp-Metway. The group’ s Chairman, John Story, says the appointment is part of the group’s strategy to engage directors with broad business and public company experience with an Australian focus.

“Dr Switkowski will bring significant public company and corporate governance experience to Suncorp at a time when Suncorp is experiencing strong profit and operational growth and expanding its presence across Australia,” he said.

“His experience in dealing with a rapidly changing technology environment will assist Suncorp at a time when the financial services industry is facing similar challenges.”

In a statement, Dr Switkowski says he is “attracted to Suncorp’s positioning in the market, its strong retail focus and base, and its unique business model in a challenging and growing sector of the economy”.