BT has announced the appointment of Annabelle Kline as its new chief product officer, commencing 1 May.
Kline joins BT after a 23-year stint at Macquarie Group, where she most recently oversaw the development and execution of its business banks platform strategy as head of platforms and value-added services.
Before this, she also served as chief product officer of wealth management and as state sales manager for Victoria and Tasmania.
According to BT, the chief product officer role is responsible for leading the firm’s platforms business and plays a “key role” in the leadership team reporting to chief executive Matt Rady.
Kline said: “I’m excited to join BT particularly at a time when the business is gaining momentum and investing in tech transformation and simplification to enhance the adviser and investor experience.”
She takes over from acting chief product officer Kathryn Cosentino, who has held the position since November.
Before this, Kathy Vincent held the role for over a year before joining Australian Retirement Trust in late 2023.
Commenting on the appointment, Rady said he’s delighted to welcome Kline to the BT executive team.
“Annabelle joins us at an important time where we’re focused on growth and continuing to build our offer to help quality financial advice to thrive,” Rady noted.
“Following Westpac’s decision to retain the BT, we’re looking forward to the future and building a simpler and stronger business.”
Namely, the big four bank confirmed last year that it will “conclude a competitive sales process for BT platforms” and will instead “retain and continue to invest in the business”.
Investments will be made towards improving the adviser experience, Westpac clarified at the time, as well as the ongoing “simplification and improved efficiency” of its operations.
“The transformational change for this business happened in March when we merged the personal and corporate super business with Mercer,” Rady said in June.
“So, what that means is that today, we are a platforms business. And that platforms business is exclusively focused on helping financial advisers and enabling quality financial advice to thrive.”
