Experienced banker to boost Woolworths’ southern hemisphere ambitions

The woman who oversaw “the largest in-market merger in Australian financial services” has joined the board of Woolworths Holdings Limited as a non-executive director.

A statement on Thursday said Gail Kelly “has enjoyed an illustrious banking career spanning 35 years‚ split equally between South Africa and Australia”‚ including holding “a number of senior executive positions in the Nedbank Group”.

In 2008‚ she presided over the merger of St George Bank and Westpac and‚ at the time of her retirement in February this year‚ the “Westpac Group was the country’s second largest bank and the 12th largest bank in the world‚ in terms of market capitalisation”.

“Growing up in South Africa‚ I have always had a love for the Woolworths brand‚ and while in Australia‚ I have closely observed its growth path‚ including the acquisitions of Country Road and David Jones‚” Kelly said.

“I am looking forward to working with my fellow directors and the Woolworths team‚ both in South Africa and in Australia‚ to assist them on their ambition of becoming a leading southern hemisphere retailer.”