Latest news with #Irvine
Sky News AU
13 hours ago
- Business
- Sky News AU
NAB chief executive Andrew Irvine breaks silence after facing media scrutiny over management style, drinking at events
The boss of a major Australian bank has spoken out after facing intense public scrutiny over his management style and drinking at corporate events. Concerns were raised about NAB chief executive Andrew Irvine by major investors over his behaviour, leading the bank to increase leadership development and mentoring, according to The Australian Financial Review. In his first public appearance since the reports arose, Mr Irvine told attendees at an Australian Banking Association conference that he had struggled with the media scrutiny. 'Last week was difficult, I'm not going to beat around the bush, especially when media is quite personal and public. So it was hard for me and for my family,' Mr Irvine said to outgoing ABA chief executive and former Queensland Premier Anna Bligh. 'I expect that there's public scrutiny in roles like this, you just hope that it's even-handed and balanced as you kind of go through it. 'I'm sure you've experienced this as a politician in the past and many public figures will experience media. 'I've just got to get through it.' Concerns about Mr Irvine's management style were reportedly raised with NAB's chairman Phil Chronican at an investor lunch in June, where some fund managers questioned whether the bank boss needed to curtail his drinking at events. Following the scrutiny, NAB issued a statement defending Mr Irvine and the bank's leadership team. 'Andrew Irvine and the NAB leadership team are delivering sound financial and operational results,' an NAB spokesperson said. 'They are executing on a refreshed strategy focused on further improving customers and colleague outcomes.' Mr Irvine also reportedly missed an informal board meeting to discuss the recent reporting about his leadership because he was asleep. He said he missed the meeting as he was on annual leave in Toronto where it was 3am - while the meeting took place at 5pm Sydney time. 'It was an informal conversation to try and get the facts around what was being said and whether the board felt it was fair and warranted,' Mr Irving told media outside the ABA conference, per The Australian. Pressed on whether any changes were warranted, Mr Irvine said he would continue to invest in his relationships with the bank's customers. 'It helps me understanding their business and it helps them understand how we're supporting them, and they often give us their business as a result,' Mr Irvine said. 'So I'm not going to change the amount of time I spend with our customers, I think it's a really important part of who I am and what I want the rest of our staff to be doing.' The NAB chief executive was promoted to the bank's top job in April 2024 from the head of the NAB business banking division.
West Australian
15 hours ago
- Business
- West Australian
National Australia Bank chief Andrew Irvine admits to ‘difficult week' after public scrutiny
National Australia Bank chief Andrew Irvine says last week's intense scrutiny has been 'difficult' in his first comments after a report emerged raising concerns about his behaviour and leadership style. Addressing the issue publicly on Wednesday, Mr Irvine said he expected scrutiny in his role but had hoped it would be 'even-handed and balanced'. 'Last week was difficult, I'm not going to beat around the bush, especially when media is quite personal and public. So it was hard for me and for my family,' Mr Irvine, who had been on holiday, told the Australian Banking Association conference in Sydney. 'I've just got to get through it and I plan on doing that. 'I love the job that I do, it's a real privilege to run the National Australia Bank. There's a real noble purpose in what we do, helping people navigate their financial lives, and that gives me energy.' Mr Irvine — who replaced former boss Ross McEwan last April — was under the microscope last week after it was reported major investors raised concerns about his leadership style and drinking at client meetings and events with the bank's directors. Mr Irvine's management approach was reportedly raised with NAB chair Phil Chronican at an investor lunch in Sydney last month, according to the The Australian Financial Review report. A NAB spokeswoman last week said Mr Chronican and the board backed Mr Irvine, and that 'Andrew Irvine and the NAB leadership team are delivering sound financial and operational results'. 'They are executing on a refreshed strategy focused on further improving customer and colleague outcomes. The board's support for Andrew and his team is unchanged,' she said. The Australian Financial Review also reported last week that NAB directors had informally met, asking Mr Irvine to continue in his role but urging him to improve his presentation. The board agreed that in the absence of any further, more specific claims, no action was required. Mr Irvine told media outside the ABA conference on Wednesday he missed the informal board meeting because he was asleep. He had chosen not to participate because it was held at 3am Toronto time, or 5pm Sydney time, when he was overseas on holiday. It comes following a string of senior departures at NAB, including chief financial officer Nathan Goonan in March. He moved to rival Westpac. Former business banking boss Rachel Slade was also replaced by Mr Irvine's former Bank of Montreal colleague Andrew Auerbach last month. Mr Irvine also warned the ABA conference on Wednesday that Australia was facing a 10-year productivity drought. He said many jobs created in the past decade had been low productivity roles in the care economy. He said Australia's housing crisis was the number one issue. 'We're struggling to build enough dwellings to both maintain the dream of Australian home ownership and enable migration,' he said.
Yahoo
15 hours ago
- Yahoo
Man fatally struck by car on SR-67 in Ramona, CHP says
RAMONA, Calif. (FOX 5/KUSI) — A man was fatally hit by a car while standing on State Route 67 in Ramona, authorities said. According to California Highway Patrol, the 40-year-old Ramona man was standing within the northbound lane of SR-67, north of Archie Moore Road, shortly before midnight on Friday, July 18. Around the same time, a woman, 44, from Irvine was driving a 2018 Dodge Challenger in the same area. Driver charged in fatal hit-and-run on Inland Rail Trail For reasons still under investigation, the man was standing in the roadway in low-lighting and the car hit the pedestrian, CHP stated. The man was pronounced dead at the scene by medical personnel. The driver of the Dodge was not injured. It is unknown at this time whether alcohol and/or drugs were a factor in the crash, authorities said. CHP reminds pedestrians to always use sidewalks and crosswalks, and to never assume they can be seen by drivers. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Sunday World
a day ago
- Sunday World
‘Winkie' Irvine under threat of violent attack from loyalist faction in jail
Paramilitary prisoners planning to 'send message he won't forget' to loyalist chief Jailed loyalist leader Winston 'Winkie' Irvine is under threat from a violent attack behind bars, sources have told the Sunday World. And we can exclusively reveal that paramilitary prisoners currently housed near Irvine in HMP Maghaberry are planning to 'give him a message he won't forget'. The threat is believed to have been issued by associates of ousted UVF men from east Belfast who blame Irvine for their expulsion from the paramilitary organisation. 'Winkie will need to watch his step every inch of the way while he's in jail. The men from the east have fingered him for waging a campaign to discredit Stephen Matthews,' said a well-placed east Belfast loyalist source. Last night the Sunday World made the PSNI aware of the alleged threat against 49-year-old Irvine from Ballysillan Road, who is currently serving out a two-and-a-half-year sentence after he was caught with a bag of guns and ammunition in his car. Earlier this week police released dramatic film footage of Irvine's arrest in June 2022, alongside his co-accused, 54-year-old Robin Workman of Shore Road, Larne, who was later jailed for five years – half of which will be served on licence. Winston 'Winkie' Irvine in police custody Police bodycam shows the moment Winkie Irvine is arrested The East Belfast faction of the UVF was expelled by the terror group's Shankill Road leadership on Remembrance Sunday 2023. A masked UVF volunteer read out a statement in front of 1,000 UVF-linked loyalists who had earlier that morning paraded in honour of the war dead. A similar statement was read out at other UVF-controlled venues, including one off the Newtownards Road in east Belfast. Source claim veteran loyalist Stephen Matthews was replaced by a new leader installed with the blessing of the Shankill leadership controlled by veteran UVF men John 'Bunter' Graham and 'Harmless Harry' Stockman. Matthews has previously denied being involved in both criminality and paramilitarism. And moves were also made to take complete control of UVF arms dumps in the east of the city. Stephen Matthews Matthews was made aware in no uncertain terms that he wasn't under any physical threat as long as he 'steered well clear' of UVF military hardware, according to sources. It is claimed he was further warned that any attempt to push back against the Shankill Road ruling, would be met with an immediate and violent reaction. For a number of years, Matthews was alleged to have run a criminal gang which it was claimed used the UVF name as cover for a range of activities, including drug dealing and extortion. Traditionally known as the UVF 4th Battalion, its east Belfast territory ran from the Albert Bridge near the city centre to Newtownards. And its heartland was by far the largest area of loyalist paramilitary influence and control in the whole of Northern Ireland. And the lucrative cash return in the area was huge. But as time passed, sources claim Matthews became estranged from the UVF's Shankill Road centre, although he continued to consolidate his support in the east. But since his expulsion 18 months ago, Matthews didn't disappear quietly as some predicted. Instead, he steadily rebuilt an even more solid support base. In recent times, Matthews has overseen a move away from drug dealing and criminality toward community-based activism, sources claim. And we were also told that during a meeting with his top men, one of 'Mackers' distant relatives – who held the rank of Provost Marshal – made a jokey remark about drug dealing, saying: 'No more drugs? That's why I joined the UVF.' Matthews is alleged to have slapped his relative around the head. And he was later busted down the ranks and is now driving a taxi for a living. 'That showed Mackers meant business with regards to cleaning up the image,' said our source. Only last Saturday, Mackers was spotted handing out chilled bottles of mineral water to thirsty returning bandsmen and 12th of July Orange marchers, near St Matthews Catholic Church on the Newtownards Road. Matthews was inundated by well-wishers who showed their support by slapping him on the back and asking him for souvenir 'selfies'. 'Good on you, big man,' a member of the East Belfast Regimental Band shouted as he passed by on the final hurdle of the 12th parade, which was seen as a spectacular success. 'Mackers is more popular now than he was before he was ousted,' one of his supporters told us. Whilst accepting the reality of their position outside the mainstream UVF, Mackers' men have refused to fully surrender their loyalist connection and they are now branding themselves the UVF Regiment of East Belfast. This effectively sees two UVF-proclaimed groups vying for loyalist support in the East Belfast Brigade area. But all available evidence also shows the Matthews faction is currently enjoying a resurgence of influence in working-class loyalist areas east of the River Lagan. And many of Mackers' men are thoroughly convinced Winkie Irvine was responsible for a relentless smear campaign against their east Belfast boss. Video footage of Winkie being arrested Winkie's final throw of the dice came in June last year while he was still out on bail awaiting trial for a range of arms offences. Irvine arranged for a psychological show of strength aimed at emphasising Mackers' demise. The Woodvale UVF boss was one of hundreds of loyalists – wearing white shirts and black ties – who lined the entire length of the Newtownards Road. Mackers stayed away, opting to observe proceedings from the nearby safety of the Constitution Club. And he later used the moment to rebuild his support in the heartland of loyalism in east Belfast. 'Some people thought it would be the death knell of Stephen Matthews. Instead it was the beginning of his fight back and a year later he done it,' said our source. 'The blame for what happened has been laid at Winkies' door.' Another loyalist source with an insight into Matthews' thinking insisted he didn't know the identity of those tried to discredit him, but he doesn't blame Irvine. Last night, a spokesman said: 'Mr Matthews has no issue with Winston Irvine. And he doesn't wish to see any division within loyalism.' Winston 'Winkie' Irvine in police custody News in 90 Seconds - July 22nd
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Domino's unveils robotic dog for beach pizza deliveries
Domino's UK has unveiled Domidog, a robotic canine designed to deliver pizzas to customers at beach locations, Irvine Times has reported. The prototype aims to mitigate the issue of seagulls, which have been identified as a common annoyance for those visiting seaside areas. Surveys indicate that seagulls are among the top ten irritants for beachgoers in the UK, with 61% of respondents expressing concern over food pinching by these birds, noted the publication. Other complaints include insufficient toilet facilities (40%), overcrowding (37%) and uncontrolled dogs (17%). The study, which involved 1,500 coastal visitors, found that one in three individuals had experienced seagulls stealing their food, highlighting a demand for effective solutions to safeguard snacks during beach outings. Domidog, created by Boston Dynamics, has previously been employed in various critical roles, such as search and rescue operations and bomb disposal, stated Bristol Live. The robot is equipped with sensors, stereo cameras and localisation systems, enabling it to navigate its surroundings autonomously. With its 360-degree vision capability, Domidog can skillfully navigate around obstacles while delivering orders. The introduction of this robotic delivery system reflects Domino's efforts to improve the experience for customers at popular beach destinations, where seagulls remain a persistent concern. Domino's executive Izzy Gardener was quoted by the Irvine Times as saying: 'Seagulls have claimed too many seaside snacks, and it's time we did something about it. 'We're always exploring new and innovative ways to keep your pizza as hot and fresh as possible on its delivery journey. That's why we're trailing Domidog this summer: a tech-driven answer to an age-old beach problem.' "Domino's unveils robotic dog for beach pizza deliveries" was originally created and published by Verdict Food Service, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site.
