Suncorp bemoans lack of leadership
- 1 comment
- font size decrease font size increase font size

“DEPRESSING we have wallowed in political uncertainty for the five and half years I have been running this company, ”declared departing Suncorp boss Patrick Snowball today after delivering another strong profit result.
This column asked Snowball what he through about the immediate future and his response was as usual succinct and immediate: “Depressing.”
Suncorp (SUN) is based in Brisbane, a city which doesn’t yet know who will be running the State for the next few years, and that’s before you even head to the ongoing political circus in Canberra.
“Big capital-intensive businesses like ours rely some political leadership, which just isn’t there right now. We’ve wasted good opportunities in the process,” Snowball said.
The Suncorp chief has articulated well what a lot of his peers are thinking about the state of the nation, with a slowing economy and political leadership fast disappearing — if it had ever existed in the recent past.
Snowball has won some praise for turning around Suncorp in his years at the company, with the bank now fast approaching formal advanced capital accreditation, which will cut debt-servicing costs, and the general insurance business running well in a virtual duopoly with IAG.
Its stock price was down 2.8 per cent in late morning trade at $14.02 a share after cutting profit guidance from up to 6 per cent to low single-digit growth.
This change he noted was a general reflection on the state of the economy.
The company increased its dividend from 35c to 38c a share after reporting a net profit of $631 million, up from $548 million in the previous corresponding period.
Author: John Durie Senior Writer/Columnist MelbourneSource: The Australian
Related items
- Major banks control broker loans, says non-major
- Bank of Queensland settles dispute valuation dispute with Landmark White Brisbane; Suncorp believed to be in separate $19m windfall
- Non-major announces commission changes
- Suncorp half-year profit up 15 per cent
- Suncorp firm under ASIC scrutiny over 'deficiencies' in insurance advice
1 comment
-
Lack of leadership. Hmm.
My experience has been highly expedient and dishonest leadership at Suncorp. I interviewed for a role (video conference) and part way through the interview someone on Suncorps end, off camera started coughing. This led to an awkward change of gear as they admitted someone I was unaware of was in the room. An internal candidate, being coached on how to interview. They never intended to offer the role to anyone else. They wasted my time and I will not get it back. In my experience their leadership is highly unprofessional, and lacks integrity.