National Australia Bank boss Ross McEwan kicked off 2022 by calling on everyone to get back to the office and closed it out by stumping up $6 billion to house people closer to where they worked, with plans for NAB to more than triple its investment in affordable housing.

Seamlessly assuming the mantle of banking industry mouthpiece during the COVID-19 pandemic, McEwan’s undeniable enthusiasm for reviving CBDs across the country has made him a champion for small business, helping to earn him a place on The Australian Financial Review Business Person of the Year list.