Press Release:
NEW APPOINTMENTS FURTHER STRENGTHEN BILLABONG
GOLD COAST, 29 February, 2012: Billabong International Limited today is pleased to announce two key appointments to the company and the establishment of a Board sub- committee.
New Board member
Sally Pitkin has been appointed as a Non-Executive Director of Billabong International Limited. Ms Pitkin is a current non-executive director of each of retailer Super Retail Group Limited (ASX: SUL), defence force contractor ASC Pty Ltd, the Committee for Economic Development of Australia and the Export Finance and Insurance Corporation and a Councillor of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (Queensland Council).
Ms Pitkin is a former corporate partner of law firm Clayton Utz and has extensive experience in listed companies, public sector bodies and specialist fields including corporate governance and structural reform.
She is a former director of Aristocrat Leisure Limited and Australian Leisure and Hospitality Group.
Billabong Chairman Ted Kunkel said Ms Pitkin brings strong legal, governance and broad corporate and commercial experience to the Board of Billabong.
“Sally will bring valuable insight and expertise to Billabong at a time when the business is undergoing significant change,” Mr Kunkel said.
“She will also take on the Chair of the Board’s Human Resources and Remuneration Committee.”
The appointment is effective immediately and takes to eight the number of Directors on the Board of Billabong.
Consultant engagement
Billabong also announces today the engagement of specialist retail consultant Launa Inman.
Ms Inman, the former managing director of Target Australia and a member of the World Retail Congress Advisory Board, will be retail advisor to the Board and management and will report directly to the Board.
“The Board has been actively seeking retail expertise and last year we started engagement with Launa,” Mr Kunkel said.
“We were seeking an individual who could review the Group’s retail strategy and operational retail execution and provide direct feedback to the Board. Launa’s retail experience, particularly in the apparel sector both within Australia and offshore, made her ideal for the role.”
Ms Inman has 32 years of experience in the retail sector and was the managing director of Target Australia, the country’s largest retailer of apparel, from 2005 to 2011. Prior to this she was managing director of Officeworks, Australia’s largest stationery and office technology retailer, and has considerable experience in global retail.
Ms Inman is currently a non-executive director of the Commonwealth Bank of Australia, a member of the World Retail Congress Advisory Board, a board member of Melbourne Fashion Week and a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. She is also a former winner of the Australian Business Woman of the Year award.
She holds a Masters of Commerce from the University of South Africa.
Mr Kunkel said the appointment of Ms Pitkin and the engagement of Ms Inman will further strengthen the Group, providing deeper retail experience and additional legal and regulatory expertise.
New Board sub-committee
Additionally, Billabong Board member Tony Froggatt has been appointed to chair a newly created sub-committee to oversee the change agenda within the Company, especially the implementation of the cost saving initiatives announced 17 February 2012
