Wesfarmers appoints new director

Wesfarmers has announced the appointment of business management and consultant firm Booz and Company's financial services executive Vanessa Wallace as a new director of the company, effective from today.

Ms Wallace is based in Sydney and has held multiple governance roles at the highest level within Booz's global partnership.

An experienced management consultant who has been with Booz & Company for over 20 years, she is their most experienced partner in Australia, New Zealand and South East Asia.

Ms Wallace was elected to the Board of Booz & Company when it separated from Booz Allen Hamilton via a US$2.4 billion leveraged buyout. She was a Member of the Finance Committee of the Booz Board and Chair of its Agenda Committee.

Ms Wallace has advised both public and private sector clients across many industries
and business issues.

She is actively involved in the firm's customer and markets activities which focus on areas such as consumer products, health care, insurance, wealth management and banking.

She has had hands on experience in mergers and acquisitions and post merger integration.

Wesfarmers chairman, Dr Bob Every, said he was delighted to welcome Ms Wallace to the Wesfarmers Board.

"I am extremely pleased that Vanessa has agreed to join the Board. Her financial and analytical skills, many years involvement in corporate strategy development and most recent experience on the global Board of Booz & Company will make her an excellent addition to our Board."

Ms Wallace said she was looking forward to her involvement with Wesfarmers.

"It is a privilege to have been asked to join the Wesfarmers Board - a great Australian company with a rich heritage and an enviable track record of delivering value to shareholders," she said.

"I look forward to contributing my business experiences and working with the Board in support of Wesfarmers delivering further sustained successes."

Ms Wallace's appointment takes the Wesfarmers Board membership to eleven.