Wayne Grant talks digital transformation, imparting knowledge, intuition, resilience and putting out fires.
Wayne Grant is the Head of Strategy Delivery at Heritage Bank, Australia’s largest customer owned bank. Founded and based in Toowoomba, Queensland, but with branches nation wide, Heritage Bank has a long history dating back more than 140 years. In 2008, Heritage was awarded the Best Building Society by Australian Banking and Finance Magazine for the sixth time and in 2009, passed the $7 billion mark in assets under management. As Head of Strategy Delivery Wayne is instrumental in reshaping the Heritage Bank’s digital strategy, as it transitions from a branch network with a physical presence, to a digital presence with the aim of serving a broader clientele.
Hailing from the inner city suburbs of Johannesburg in South Africa, Wayne was raised in a “tough neighbourhood”. One of two brothers, he grew up on the construction sites his father worked on, an experience he credits to being a part of his later decision to study architecture. Upon graduating from university, however, South Africa was in recession and unemployment levels were high. Wayne couldn’t gain employment as an architect but eventually found himself working in a bank. Wayne has extensive experience in the banking sector and throughout his long career has worked for First National – one of South Africa’s ‘big four’ banks – and for Investec.
“For me it’s always been a case of don’t box yourself in, always see the opportunity in everything that you do. I’ve never been constrained by a job title. I certainly would say to younger colleagues, don’t chase a title, chase an opportunity because the opportunity is where you evolve your career and get your greatest learning,” Wayne said.
Wayne lives in Brisbane with his wife and three children.
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