Alumni Spotlight

Inspiring the Next Generation of Business Leaders: Denton Pugh Returns to Berwick College

On Tuesday August 12th, Berwick College had the pleasure of welcoming back alumnus Denton Pugh (Class of 1998) to speak with our Year 11 Business Management students. Denton, now the Executive General Manager for Home Lending at NAB, shared his inspiring career journey and valuable insights into the banking and finance industry.

Denton leads a national team of over 750 people dedicated to helping Australians achieve their dreams of owning or investing in property. His impressive career began in 2004 when he started as a graduate at ANZ’s Pakenham Branch. Since then, he has spent more than 20 years in banking, holding senior leadership roles across ANZ, Bank of Melbourne, and NAB. His roles have spanned small business, agribusiness, retail, and strategy - always fuelled by a passion for supporting both his teams and customers through life’s most important financial decisions.

During his visit, Denton emphasized the critical role of communication and leadership. He explained how actively listening to customer feedback and acting on it can drive meaningful change within a business. Denton also stressed that strong people skills and engaging conversations can be just as essential for career growth as formal education and technical knowledge.

Reflecting on his early years, Denton shared stories of working part-time at Fountain Gate Coles and Berwick Surfshop in Blackburne Square. These experiences taught him invaluable lessons in customer service and problem-solving that laid the foundation for his future success.

He fondly recalled the supportive community feel of the then-new Year 12 Centre at Berwick College and spoke highly of teachers who made a lasting impact, including Mr Callum, Mr Teo, Mr Hansen and Mr Goyen.

When asked about his sources of inspiration, Denton mentioned the popular podcast Diary of a CEO by Steven Bartlett, which offers insights from leaders across a wide range of industries.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to Denton for generously giving his time and wisdom. His visit left our students inspired, informed, and excited about the many pathways open to them in the world of business and finance.

• Do you know an alum of Berwick College with a great story, and perhaps someone willing to come back and inspire the next generation of Berwick graduates? Get in touch, and email us at alumni@berwickcollege.vic.edu.au