RBA announces appointments for head of banking and economic research

Sarah Brown has been named the Head of Banking at the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA). The RBA, which provides specialized banking services to the Australian Government and manages payments for many Australians, also serves overseas central banks and official institutions. In the last financial year, it processed over $1,650 billion in banking payments and transactions.

Brown brings over 20 years of experience in senior roles within corporate, banking, and financial services sectors. Most recently, she held several senior positions at the Commonwealth Bank of Australia (CBA) in business and retail banking, as well as in complex change projects and transformation. She holds a Bachelor of Commerce (Finance) and a Bachelor of Laws from the University of New South Wales. Brown will assume her new role at the RBA in February 2025.

Dan Rees has been appointed as the Head of Economic Research at the RBA. With five years of experience at the Bank for International Settlements as Principal Economist and Chief of Staff to the General Manager, Rees brings extensive expertise in economic policy and research. He has also previously held several senior positions at the RBA.

Rees will lead efforts to evolve the RBA’s research strategy and improve how research insights are integrated into policy processes and deliberations. This includes promoting greater engagement with universities and think tanks. Rees will join the RBA in July 2025.