Resolute appoints Shugg

Gold producer Resolute Mining has appointed Sabina Shugg as a non-executive director, while new data from the Australian Institute of Company Directors has revealed an uptick in female participation on ASX 200 boards.

Ms Shugg, who replaced Bill Price after 15 years as a non-executive director, is a mining engineer and has served in a number of senior operational positions, including with gold-focused Newcrest Mining and consultancy KPMG.

She is a director of the newly formed Kalgoorlie-Boulder Mining Innovation Hub and is founder and chair of Women in Mining and Resources WA.

In 2015, Ms Shugg was awarded a member of the general division of the Order of Australia for significant service to the mining industry.

Resolute chairman Martin Botha said Ms Shugg brought a highly relevant skill set to the board.

“Her position as a respected industry champion for technology, innovation, and diversity in mining, together with her experience in complex technical and operational mining projects, will allow Sabina to make an enormous contribution to Resolute as a board member,” he said.

Mr Botha thanked Mr Price, who will retire prior to the company’s annual general meeting in October, for his service to the company.

Meanwhile, the latest data from the AICD showed women account for 28.5 per cent of ASX 200 board positions at the end of August, with three companies having no females on their boards.

In May, five ASX 200 companies had no female directors, including Perth-based Ausdrill, however, the mining services company appointed Alexandra Atkins as a non-executive director.

The AICD is targeting 30 per cent female board representation on the top 200 ASX companies by the end of 2018.

AICD chairman Elizabeth Proust welcomed the improvement in the results, up from 27.7 per cent in May.

“There’s no doubt this report shows significant momentum in the right direction,” Ms Proust said.

“Importantly, the rate of female appointments to ASX 200 boards has remained strong over the course of 2018, with women accounting for 50 per cent of appointments.

“This is an indication that the move towards greater gender diversity on Australian boards is not fading.

“The rate and pace of change this year has been incredibly encouraging. It shows that voluntary targets are a powerful way to achieve change.

“Today’s results show that Australian directors recognise the value of greater diversity in the boardroom.”