Media release: Clayton Utz appoints CBA's former Chief Risk Officer Nigel Williams alongside risk and governance executives to growing Risk Advisory practice

Nigel Williams joins the firm as a Senior Advisor after more than six years as Commonwealth Bank's Group Chief Risk Officer. He is joined by Michelle Dawson and Andrew Bangura, who join from the A&O Shearman consulting practice, where they led the APAC Governance & Regulatory Compliance and Risk Advisory & Assurance functions, respectively. The trio has expertise in helping businesses navigate Australia's complex regulatory environment, manage third-party risk, and apply risk management best practices, including in the context of transactional due diligence.

Mr Williams joins Clayton Utz following nearly 15 years as Chief Risk Officer at two of Australia's largest banks – CBA from 2018 until early 2025, and ANZ prior to the Banking Royal Commission, from 2011 to early 2018. He has extensive risk management experience and has served as board director for several banks and financial institutions globally.

Clayton Utz Deputy Chief Executive Partner Nick Cooper said the insight and capabilities Mr Williams brings will support the legal-led risk advisory support the firm is increasingly providing boards and corporate leaders as businesses accelerate the integration of advanced technologies into their structures.

'From the growing adoption of AI to increased regulatory scrutiny, the risk landscape for Australian businesses has shifted and continues to change,' Mr Cooper said. 'Nigel's appointment gives us even greater capabilities as we help clients understand their risk profiles and ensure their governance structures are fit for purpose.'

'No sector has seen greater change in their risk profiles over recent years than the financial services sector. The expertise Nigel has provided our biggest banks will be vital as we support our clients in superannuation, energy, telecommunications, financial services, government and the public sector, and other industries navigate what is a fast-changing risk landscape.'

Clayton Utz Partner and Head of Risk Advisory, Doug Nixon, said Ms Dawson and Mr Bangura's experience would bring significant capability to the firm's Risk Advisory offering. 'Both Michelle and Andrew have had incredible careers in consulting and advisory work at law firms, professional services firms and in the financial services industry,' Mr Nixon said.

'As Australia's corporate risk landscape becomes more complex, the delivery of risk advisory services requires teams with a deep knowledge of all facets of organisational risk, changing compliance requirements, and governance best practice. Nigel, Michelle and Andrew's combined insight into some of Australia's most complex organisations and sectors is unmatched in the market, and will allow us to deliver unparalleled legal-led risk advice.'

Prior to her time at A&O Shearman, Ms Dawson spent nearly 15 years at Westpac, first in legal roles before leading some of the bank's strategic and regulatory initiatives, and taking on senior risk and compliance roles.

Mr Bangura worked first in trading roles at Macquarie before moving to EY, where he advised financial services firms on regulatory reform, operational and compliance challenges. He continued to support financial services clients at Ashurst as a Director of Risk Advisory, before moving to A&O Shearman.