Westpac GM moves to equipment financier

Longtime Westpac and BT manager and director Phillip Godkin is the new CEO at equipment financier SilverChef.

Godkin was with Westpac in a variety of role since 1995, including most recently as general manager of specialist finance. It was in that role that he provided testimony to the Hayne Royal Commission.

Godkin was also the managing director at BT Financial Group during the aftermath of the GFC.

In his new role with the hospitality financier, Godkin will help the 30-year-old company expand its market share. "SilverChef has invested $1 billion into the hospitality industry over the past 30 years, helping more than 50,000 hospitality business owners achieve their dreams. The company also has a strong tradition of combining profit with purpose, and a best-practice approach to diversity and inclusion," he said.

"I'm looking forward to building on that impressive legacy by taking a laser-like focus to our customers' needs and evolving our products and services to better serve them. As part of enhancing the overall customer experience, we're making a significant investment in systems, including simplifying and streamlining the application and approval processes for our customers."

Patrick Elliott, chair of the SilverChef Board said, "We're fortunate to have an executive of Phillip's calibre and experience to deliver on our ambitious growth strategy. SilverChef is the clear market leader in Australia and New Zealand, and we look forward to taking a leadership position in the Canadian market; while pursuing further growth across all three regions."