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 the Bank of Queensland 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 and is a Fellow of the Financial Services Institute of Australasia.

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

Warren Darnill
Third Party Banking 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.

Marilyn Flynn
Marketing Executive

Miss Flynn 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.

Miss Flynn 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).

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 Bank of Queensland Limited. Mr Grounds has completed an MBA and two Post-Graduate Diplomas.

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 Suncorp for 12.5 years; Bank of Queensland for 12.5 years; 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.

Russell Wells

Insurance Executive

Mr Wells worked for an international insurance company for 16 years before commencing his own business in 1981. At the time of the acquisition of Russell Wells Insurance Brokers by The Rock, Mr Wells was operating offices in both Rockhampton and Gladstone. He holds a Diploma in Financial Services (Insurance Broking).

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.