About Us

Derek Lightfoot

Managing Director

Mr Lightfoot joined The Rock in February 2005 as Chief Financial Officer and was appointed as Chief Executive Officer in June 2006. He was then appointed to the role of Managing Director in November 2007. Previous to Mr Lightfoot's appointments with The Rock, he accrued 10 years’ experience with KPMG in Brisbane and London, specialising in the banking and finance industry. Mr Lightfoot also spent eight years with a regional bank in senior management positions including Internal Computer Auditor, Head of Operations, Head of Information Technology and Head of Business Services.  Mr Lightfoot's most recent position before taking up his role with The Rock was with Brisbane City Council as Executive Manager Customer Service.

Mr Lightfoot holds a Bachelor of Commerce, is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Australia, is a Fellow of the Financial Services Institute of Australasia and is a Graduate Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Duncan C Martin

Chief Financial Officer and Company Secretary

Mr Martin joined The Rock in October 2006 with extensive experience in the finance industry. Over a period of 18 years, he held senior positions with KPMG in the UK and Brisbane, including eight years with KPMG’s Specialist Building Society group in the UK and four years as head of KPMG’s Information Risk Management practice in Brisbane.

Mr Martin also spent three years with the Brisbane City Council.

Mr Martin holds a Bachelor of Science, a Master of Business Administration and is a Chartered Accountant, Certified Internal Auditor and Certified Information Systems Auditor.

Warren Belz

Corporate Services Executive

Born and educated in Rockhampton, Mr Belz joined The Rock in 1999, holding senior management positions in Marketing, Insurance and IT prior to his current appointment in 2006. Prior to The Rock, he spent 30 years in the local insurance industry with 12 years as District Manager, QBE Insurance.

Mr Belz is a Senior Associate of the Australian Institute of Insurance and Finance and holds a Diploma in Financial Services.

Warren Darnill
Mortgage & Insurance Broking Executive

Mr Darnill has 27 years experience in the finance industry. He has worked for several financial institutions and has held roles of Personal Banking Manager, Business Development Manager, Finance Manager and State Manager.  Mr Darnill has twelve years experience working with the broker market, including his role as NSW State Manager with Australian Finance Group Limited.

Dale Grounds

Operations Executive

Mr Grounds has worked in the Finance Industry for a range of organisations for over 24 years. He has experience in managing a wide range of back and front office areas within those organisations.  He joined The Rock in October 2006 after five years as Operations Manager within the internal treasury area of a large not-for-profit organisation.

His previous roles have included Branch Manager, Manager Banking Operations, Manager Loan Processing and Business Analyst for a regional bank. Mr Grounds has completed an MBA and two post graduate diplomas.

John Hanby
Corporate Development Executive

Mr Hanby joined The Rock in late 2008 to develop strategic corporate partnerships following a broad-ranging career that has spanned over 20 years developing and implementing organisational-wide change and business development projects with high profile companies in the finance, service and manufacturing sectors. He has also founded and run two successful service companies, owned a bank branch, managed the sales and new business growth of one of Australia's best known financial planning businesses and consulted to numerous Australian businesses.

He holds a post graduate Masters Degree in Social Science.

Vicki Oliver

Human Resources Executive

Mrs Oliver has 28 years experience in banking and finance, employed for 14 years with The Rock and 13 years with a credit union. Roles held include Branch Network Manager and Branch Supervisor.

Len Sanders

IT Executive

Mr Sanders has worked in I.T. for over 30 years with all but three years in banking and finance. He has held senior positions with two regional banks for a duration of 12.5 years at each organisation; Electronic Data Systems for 1.5 years and Brisbane City Council for 3 years.

Mr Sanders has experience in all areas of I.T. including operations, infrastructure, systems development, program management, strategic sourcing and vendor management. He holds a Management Development Certificate from the Mt Eliza Business School.

Marilyn Steel
Marketing Executive

Mrs Steel has worked in the media and marketing industries for 17 years, spending 12 years as a journalist working across both regional and agricultural media. She made the transition to the public relations sphere through her employment with the Central Queensland Ports Authority.

Mrs Steel continued to grow her marketing and corporate affairs expertise through roles with international financier, Rabobank, where she spent two years as the Qld/NT marketing manager, and Rio Tinto. Marilyn commenced her role with The Rock Building Society in May 2007. She holds a Bachelor of Arts (Journalism).

Leigh Zimmerlie

Retail Banking Executive

Mrs Zimmerlie has 18 years experience in retail banking including seven years with a regional bank as Manager Sales & Service. Other positions held have included Area Manager.                                      Throughout her career Mrs Zimmerlie has sat on the board for numerous organisations and is currently the Vice Chair of Gladstone Area Promotion and Development Limited. 

Mrs Zimmerlie has a Diploma in Financial Services and is an Associate of the Institute of Financial Services.