MEDIA RELEASE
Melbourne, 25 May 2026
CHALLENGER’S ALEX BELL TAKES HELM OF AUSTRALIA’S ELITE FINANCE LEADERS
The Group of 100 (G100) today announced, Alex Bell CFO Challenger Limited, had been elected Chair
of Australia’s most influential network of finance chiefs.
Ms Bell’s appointment confirms a generational shift in how Australia’s top companies view their
finance leaders.
Ms Bell takes the reins as Australia’s CFOs face their biggest reporting shake-up in decades;
mandatory climate-related financial disclosures that demand the same rigour as traditional financial
statements.
The challenge is significant. A recent study by RMIT Online and Deloitte Access Economics found that
43% of businesses feel underprepared for the new climate disclosure requirements*.
“Finance leaders are now expected to bring environmental and governance risks into the boardroom
with the same precision they apply to quarterly earnings. The G100 is focused on how it can help
CFOs and their teams navigate this issue”, she said.
Outgoing Chair Inder Singh, CFO of National Australia Bank, said Ms Bell’s collaborative leadership
style positions her perfectly to guide the organisation.
“Alex’s appointment reflects the depth of leadership and experience within the Group of 100, she is
exceptionally well placed to lead in this next phase”, Mr Singh said.
The modern CFO is no longer just steward of the balance sheet, but architect of business strategy
and organisational change. CFOs are being thrust into the spotlight over climate reporting, AI
transformation and economic uncertainty.
Ms Bell emphasised that in an increasingly complex business environment, peer connection has
become essential.
“The opportunity to connect with peers, share experiences and learn from one another becomes
incredibly valuable, that’s what the Group of 100 provides for CFOs”.
The Group of 100 is the business association and advocacy body representing Chief Financial Officers
(CFOs) and senior finance executives in Australia.
ENDS
For more information:
Claire McKay
Chief Operating Officer
E: cmckay@group100.com.au
M: +61 439 610 375
*Australian businesses aren’t ready for climate costs: https://www.rmit.edu.au/news/allnews/2025/jul/climate-sustainability-report
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