On Demand Executive, Chief Risk Officer, Senior Board Advisor, Mentor
+61 408 974 191
Jo.Bowles@LeadersOnDemand.com
Over the past 20 years, Jo has built a reputation as an experienced leader specialising in law, risk and governance across global listed corporates, consulting and not for profits. Working in senior leadership roles in South Africa, the UK and Australia she has supported leaders to define, design and execute on their risk strategy and transform organisations to embrace change and magnify their impact.
Jo brings strategic, future-focussed guidance, coupled with a growth mindset – whether she’s leading in an interim role, coaching behind the scenes, or facilitating a strategy session in the boardroom. She’s guided by strong values of courage, curiosity, authenticity, and belief in the power of human potential to deliver change.
Jo is known as a trouble-shooter; managing challenging roles that require complex stakeholder engagement, technical expertise, and leadership experience to deliver for people, profit, and the planet.
Career History
Jo’s career began in Cape Town, South Africa where she worked as in-house legal counsel for Investec. She realised that her problem-solving capability and strategic mindset were better suited to front office advisory roles training as a private banker. Moving to the UK, Jo used her legal and banking experience to establish herself as a regulatory and compliance specialist taking leadership roles for CSFB, and ABN AMRO.
Jo and her young family emigrated to Sydney, Australia in 2008 where she continued to build her governance, risk and compliance career working for Deutsche Bank and Macquarie Group. Jo continued to foster her love of learning, becoming a Director at KPMG where she led engagements across financial services and corporate clients.
Since leaving KPMG Jo has taken on several interim roles and consulting engagements where she leverages her diverse skills and experience. She is also a certified organisational coach (IECL level 2).
Leadership Highlights
Interim Chief Risk Officer for Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA)
Interim Head of Banking Compliance for Citibank, providing regulatory and compliance advice across the investment bank and Treasury & Trade services
Led KPMG support to several major banks in relation to the Royal Commission findings in misconduct in the banking industry which resulted in uplifting and enhancing risk culture outcomes. (CBA, Westpac)
Led the enterprise risk management framework review with a local Government agency to assess its effectiveness and maturity. This review focused on the behaviours influencing the Department’s risk decision making.
Joint leader of the internal review of KPMG’s Risk Appetite Statement. The review engaged multiple diverse stakeholders to critically assess the alignment of the firm’s strategy with day-to-day procedures and activities
Lead the Operational Excellence in Compliance Program at Macquarie Bank using ‘lean techniques’ to optimise manual operational processes across the risk function resulting in significant cost reduction and improved risk management.
Initiated a successful change management initiative of the conflicts management process for Macquarie Bank in response to the ASIC Enforceable Undertaking which resulted in the removal of the Undertaking and restoration of the full trading licence.
Chief Operating Officer for Lifeline Harbour to Hawkesbury. Provided operational and strategic support to the CEO and team to broaden its impact.
Qualifications
Bachelor of Arts (Political Science, Law), Bachelor of Law (LLB) Master of Business Psychology (current) Certified Organisational Coach (IECL) The Global Leadership Wellbeing Survey Certified Trainer (GLWS)
Sectors
Financial Services, Not For Profit, Local Government, Social Enterprise
Functions
General Management, Operations, Governance, Risk & Compliance roles, Risk Culture, Strategy
Situations
Capability Management, Interim Management, Change Management, Regulatory Framework, Uplift
Favourite quotes
“Let go of certainty. The opposite isn't uncertainty. It's openness, curiosity and a willingness to embrace paradox. The ultimate challenge is to accept ourselves exactly as we are, but never stop trying to learn and grow” Tony Schwartz
“Connection is why we’re here; it is what gives purpose and meaning to our lives” Brené Brown
“I joined Leaders on Demand...
... to bring my diverse skills and experience to solve problems with leaders who are willing to embrace change and do things differently”
“When I'm not at work...
... I guide people through uncertainty as a Telephone Crisis Supporter with Lifeline, a mentor for women looking for career clarity and a coach for leaders creating social impact through business. I am a mother of two teenagers and find joy in reading and lots of yoga”