Mike Baird to leave NAB

Former NSW Premier and Liberal politician Mike Baird will step down as head of consumer banking at NAB.

Baird joined NAB in 2017 just six weeks after leaving the top job in NSW.

NAB chief Ross McEwan says he supported Baird's decision. "I am pleased that he has been part of my leadership team but understand and accept the reasons for his decision to leave," he said.

Baird did not say what he has planned next. "I have an open mind about what I will do next and will use the time to determine where I believe I can make the best, most fulfilling contribution to business and the wider community," Baird said.

Baird was the NSW Premier from April 2014 to January 2017. He was previously the NSW Treasurer from 2011-2014. He sat in the NSW Parliament as a member for Manly from 2007-2017.

Although it was speculated that Baird was on the short list to replace McEwan in the future as CEO, it was a role that Baird said he was not interested in taking.