Chief Executive Officer of the Commonwealth Bank Matt Comyn has today announced the appointment of a new Group General Counsel and Group Executive Legal & Group Secretariat to the bank’s Executive Leadership Team.
After three and half years with the Commonwealth Bank, Group General Counsel and Group Executive Legal & Group Secretariat Carmel Mulhern has decided to move to the next phase of her career as a non-executive director, and will be leaving the bank on 31 August 2023. Karen O’Flynn, currently Partner and Executive Chair of Clayton Utz, will replace Carmel from 1 September 2023, subject to regulatory approvals.
Mr Comyn said: “Carmel has been a valued member of the bank’s executive leadership team, with a strong focus on our customers and our people. During her time with CBA, she has played an important role in ensuring the fair and efficient resolution of the Group’s legal matters, as well as strengthening our relationships with key stakeholders.
“Under Carmel’s leadership, CBA’s corporate governance processes have also been simplified to support the effectiveness of the Board. We thank Carmel for her contribution to CBA and wish her all the best for the future.”
The incoming Group General Counsel and Group Executive Legal & Group Secretariat Karen O’Flynn is recognised internationally and domestically as a leading legal practitioner and commercial litigator. She has been a Partner of Clayton Utz for 28 years, and has held a number of leadership positions including Chair of the Clayton Utz Board since 2020.
Karen is a passionate advocate of supporting gender equality. She is a member of Clayton Utz’s Diversity Council and joined Chief Executive Women in 2021.
Mr Comyn said: “Karen brings a breadth of experience in financial services over her legal career, including supporting the bank through the Royal Commission. The leadership team and I look forward to welcoming Karen to CBA.”
Biography – Karen O’Flynn
Karen O’Flynn has nearly 40 years of experience as a legal practitioner in Sydney, Melbourne and London, and is currently Partner and Executive Chair of Clayton Utz.
Karen became a partner of Clayton Utz in 1996 and has held a number of leadership positions in the Firm including as an Elected Director of the Board for three consecutive terms prior to her appointment as Chair, and as the ³Ô¹ÏÍøÕ¾ Practice Group Leader for Restructuring & Insolvency.
Karen was appointed Chair of the Clayton Utz Board in 2020. She is a passionate advocate of supporting gender equality and is a member of Clayton Utz’s Diversity Council.
Karen joined Chief Executive Women in 2021. She was a member of the Companies Auditors Disciplinary Board from 2013 to 2022 and served as its Deputy Chair in the last three of those years.
Karen has a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Laws (Hons) from the University of Sydney.
Go to for the latest news and announcements from Commonwealth Bank.
