May 29, 2026 – 5.00amBank boards have become too big, contain too few bankers, and chairmen often get too close to their chief executives. That’s the verdict of Harrison Young, a former director of the Commonwealth Bank and the Bank of England and a former chairman of NBN Co and Morgan Stanley Australia.Young likes to make the analogy that a good board should be like a dinner party guest list – not acrimonious, but a lively and spirited debate between smart people with different views.Subscribe to gift this articleGift 5 articles to anyone you choose each month when you subscribe.Subscribe nowAlready a subscriber? Patrick DurkinBOSS deputy editorPatrick Durkin is Melbourne bureau chief and BOSS deputy editor. He writes on news, business and leadership.Fetching latest articles
Bank boards too big and lack bankers, warns former CBA director
Harrison Young, a former CBA director and chairman of Morgan Stanley, has some bracing advice for his fellow directors.









