Meet our CFO, Darren Rowland

1. You’ve been in the role for a few months now — how have you found it so far? 

It’s been a great start - busy, but in a good way. People warned me about the fast pace at Aussie before joining. Now that I’ve experienced it, I can say they were spot on, and it’s great! 

What’s stood out most, though, is the people. Everyone’s been generous with their time and so welcoming. It makes a big difference when you’re coming into a new business and trying to find your feet (and the coffee machine!). 

There’s a lot to take in, but I’ve enjoyed getting into the details and working out how everything fits together.  

2. Before joining, what was your impression of Aussie? And now that you’re here, how does it compare? 

 Interestingly, my first real impression of Aussie came through investors. In my previous role, I’d often ask investors which businesses were standing out to them, and the name Aussie Broadband came up consistently. Great business. Strong culture. Doing things differently. It definitely piqued my curiosity. 

Now that I’m here, that view definitely holds up. The commitment to customers and local communities is very real.  

Not long after I started, I went to the Traralgon office opening, and it gave me a pretty clear picture of what that actually means. Whether it’s our support teams located all around Australia or investing in regional areas, it’s not just something that gets talked about. These values show up in the decisions made at Aussie every day. 

3. What is something you’re really excited to work on in the coming months at Aussie? What are you focused on? 

Like I said, at Aussie there’s never a dull moment. With things like the AGL Telco acquisition and the More and Tangerine deal, there’s always something happening. The Look-to-28 strategy gives us a clear direction, which is a great starting point. My focus is making sure we’re building the organisational muscle to keep up with that growth. It’s one thing to have a plan, it’s another thing to have the processes, systems and ways of working to deliver it. 

What I’ve learned over my career is that successful businesses can often feel a little messy from the inside. When you’re growing fast, organically and through acquisition, everyone is running hard and there’s never quite enough hours in the day.  

That creates a great opportunity to simplify where we can, align around what’s most important, and make life easier for our people. If we get that right, the outcomes tend to follow. 

What excites me is helping us win today without stealing from tomorrow, balancing execution with curiosity. There’s plenty on the table right now, but it’s just as important to keep an eye on what’s around the corner and make sure we’re building a business that’s ready for what’s next. 

4. What’s surprised you most since coming onboard? 

 What’s surprised me most is how well the culture has held as the business has grown. You hear about how far Aussie has come, but when you’re inside it, you realise a lot of what made it successful in the first place is still very much there.  

There's a real pride in what people have built and a genuine respect for the journey that's got the business to where it is today. It’s not something written on a wall or rolled out in a presentation. It's a feeling that's there in the way people work together, the stories they tell, and how much they care about doing the right thing for customers. As we continue to grow, holding onto that is so important. It's part of what makes Aussie, Aussie. 

5. Outside of work, how do you like to recharge? 

I’ve got three kids, so a lot of my spare time is spent as a part-time Uber driver and cheerleader for weekend sports. I wouldn’t have it any other way! 

Outside of that, my wife and I try to make the most of whatever spare time we have, whether that’s getting outdoors, going for a walk, camping, or catching up with friends. Like most families, we’re constantly juggling things and trying to get the balance right. 

When I get a bit of time to myself, mountain biking is probably my favourite escape. It’s hard to think about work when you’re trying not to crash into a tree! 

6. What’s something people are often surprised to learn about you? 

On the work front, most people are probably surprised that it’s not really about the numbers for me. The numbers matter, of course, but they’re usually the scoreboard. In reality, I spend most of my time thinking about what drives people and how we can influence the right outcomes.  

Outside of work, I recently took up basketball, which many people find mildly amusing. At my age it’s probably a questionable decision, but I’ve learned that you’re never too old to embarrass yourself, and I’ve had plenty of laughs along the way.  

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