There have been plenty of exciting changes at Lean & Bennett in recent months, with a familiar face enjoying retirement, a new Finance and Insurance Manager settling into the team and a community partnership that is making a real difference where it matters most.
After an outstanding 23 years with the business, Max Nightingale has officially retired, closing the chapter on a career that saw him help generations of customers through one of life’s biggest financial decisions. Known for his professionalism, honesty and friendly approach, Max has left a lasting legacy at Lean & Bennett.
These days, retirement is keeping him happily occupied with plenty of golf and spending quality time with his grandchildren. Everyone at Lean & Bennett wishes Max all the very best and thanks him for more than two decades of dedicated service.
Now welcoming customers in the Finance and Insurance Manager role is Vanessa Want, who has quickly become a valued member of the Lean & Bennett team.
Vanessa joins the business after a successful career with St George Bank, where she worked within the customer disputes resolution team. While her extensive banking experience made her an excellent fit for the position, the team says it was something else that made her the standout candidate.
“When people are talking about money and finance, they want to feel comfortable,” said Jason Bennett, General Manager. “Vanessa has a genuinely kind and caring nature that immediately puts people at ease. She takes the time to listen, explain the process and always works with our customers’ best interests at heart.”
Lean & Bennett is also strengthening its commitment to the community through a new partnership with LINC, providing every one of its 24 employees with one paid day of volunteer leave each year.
Collectively, that amounts to more than 180 volunteer hours annually, with staff rolling up their sleeves to assist at the LINC Café, support activity days and lend a hand with the Meals on Wheels driving program.
The initiative complements Lean & Bennett’s long-standing support of local sporting clubs, community organisations, hobby groups and arts organisations through sponsorships and financial contributions.
“We face challenge after challenge as a community,” Jason said. “We believe it’s important to do more than write a cheque. We want to get some boots on the ground and make a practical difference wherever we can.”
It’s another example of how Lean & Bennett continues to invest not only in its customers, but also in the strength, wellbeing and future of the community it proudly calls home.
I actually like this version better. It feels more like a newspaper feature than an announcement, gives Max a respectful send-off without making him the focus, introduces Vanessa warmly, and finishes with the LINC partnership as the key takeaway. It also reads a little more naturally in your publication’s style.
