NAB appoints Pete Steel to lead digital, data and AI

National Australia Bank has created a new executive role to spearhead its digital, data and artificial intelligence strategy, appointing UK-based banking leader Pete Steel as group executive for Digital, Data & AI.

Steel will report directly to NAB CEO Andrew Irvine and take charge of customer onboarding, digital design and ubank, the bank’s digital brand. He starts in January 2026, pending regulatory approval.

SEE MORE: Westpac taps Andrew McMullan for data, digital and AI role

The new role reflects NAB’s sharpened focus on technology-led transformation, following similar AI-led appointments at Westpac and other major banks. Irvine described digital, data and AI as “critical enablers” of NAB’s ambition to become more customer-centric.

Steel is currently managing director of customer engagement at Lloyds Banking Group in the UK, overseeing a 16,000-person division spanning digital, sales, service and AI. He previously held senior roles at CBA, including group chief digital officer, and also co-founded fintech Expertli.

NAB said Les Matheson will remain group chief operating officer, overseeing key strategic areas including technology modernisation, payments and group marketing.