CDF Announcement: Chief Executive Officer Appointment
December 8, 2025

Announcement: 8 December 2025

We are delighted to announce the appointment of John McClusky as the next Chief Executive Officer of Catholic Development Fund (CDF), effective 1 March 2026. 


John brings more than 30 years of senior leadership experience in banking across Australia, Asia, the United States, United Kingdom and Europe. His career includes significant roles with Deutsche Bank AG and, since 2000, National Australia Bank (NAB), where he has held senior leadership positions including General Manager of Capital Financing, CEO & Head of NAB UK, Europe & Asia, and most recently Executive Head of Corporate Finance & Head of NAB Asia.

 

Beyond his financial expertise, John has guided organisations through periods of significant growth and development with care and integrity. His strong alignment with CDF's mission and values positions him well to lead the Fund into its next phase of sustainable growth and stewardship, for the benefit of our clients, partners, Dioceses and communities. 


John is a committed Catholic and longstanding, active parishioner at Our Lady of Pentecost in Deepdene, Melbourne. He is genuinely motivated by the opportunity to serve Catholic communities and contribute his expertise to our purpose-driven work. 


Archbishop Peter A Comensoli, Chair of the CDF Board, stated: "We are delighted to welcome John to the Catholic Development Fund. His extensive leadership experience, combined with his commitment to our faith and mission, makes him well suited to lead CDF into the future. I look forward to working with John as we continue to grow and serve Catholic communities across our Dioceses." 


We want to assure you, our customers, that CDF’s dedication to serving you remains unchanged. John's leadership will build upon the strong foundation we have established together, ensuring you continue to receive the exceptional service you expect from our team. 


Andrew Carman will continue as Interim CEO until John's commencement in 2026, and we extend our heartfelt thanks to Andrew for his outstanding leadership during this period of transition. His steady guidance and unwavering commitment to CDF and to you, our valued clients, has been exemplary. 


Please join us in welcoming John to the Catholic Development Fund team, and in thanking Andrew for his dedicated service. We look forward to this exciting new chapter together. 


Should you have any queries, please don't hesitate to contact your CDF Relationship Manager or our Client Services Group on Tel: 1800 134 135. 


Thank you for your continued trust in Catholic Development Fund. 

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CDPF Limited, a company established by the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference, has indemnified the Catholic Development Fund ABN 15 274 943 760 (the Fund) against any liability arising out of a claim by investors in the Fund. In practice, this means your investment is backed by the assets of the Catholic Archdiocese of Melbourne. The Fund is required by law to make the following disclosure. Investment in the Fund is only intended to attract investors whose primary purpose for making their investment is to support the charitable purposes of the Fund. Investors’ funds will be used to generate a return to the Fund that will be applied to further the charitable works of the Archdiocese of Melbourne and the Dioceses of Sale and Bunbury. The Fund is not prudentially supervised by the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority nor has it been examined or approved by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC). An investor in the Fund will not receive the benefit of the financial claims scheme or the depositor protection provisions in the Banking Act 1959 (Cth). The investments that the Fund offers are not subject to the usual protections for investors under the Corporations Act (Cth) or regulation by ASIC. Investors may be unable to get some or all of their money back when the investor expects or at all and investments in the Fund are not comparable to investments with banks, finance companies or fund managers. The Fund’s identification statement may be viewed here or by contacting the Fund. The Fund does not hold an Australian Financial Services Licence.