MBS Announces Renewed Board
Melbourne Business School announced changes to its board of directors.
Chairman Ron McNeilly, has retired along with two other board members, Mr. Geoffrey Allen AM and Mr. Eric Gwee Teck Hai.
The board has appointed Peter Barnes as Chairman, effective immediately. Mr Barnes has had a long and distinguished association with the Melbourne Business School, beginning in 1968 when he completed an MBA at the School. He is currently the Chairman of Ansell Limited, a non-executive Director of News Corporation, Deputy Chairman of Metcash Limited and Chairman of Samuel Smith & Son Pty Limited.
In his new role, Mr. Barnes is pleased to announce that he has appointed Mr. Chee Cheong and Dr. Jackie Fairley to fill the casual vacancies left open by the retirement of Mr. Allen and Mr. Gwee.
Mr. Cheong and Dr. Fairley are both graduates of the School’s MBA program. Mr. Cheong brings more than 25 years of experience in financial services within the Asia Pacific region. He has just begun the role of Chief Distribution Officer, Global Life Asia Pacific for Zurich Life Insurance Company Limited based in Hong Kong.
Dr. Fairley is the CEO of Starpharma Holdings Ltd, and has more than 20 years of operational experience in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries.
In acknowledging the roles played by exiting board members, incoming chairman Mr. Barnes says, “I would like to thank Ron McNeilly who has led MBS through a particularly challenging decade. Ron has served with distinction and presided over many strategic issues during his time as Chairman.
“Geoff Allen AM is an alumnus whose service to the School has included the roles of Deputy Chairman, President of the Alumni Association, Senior Research Fellow and for many years, Senior Associate. Geoff’s dedication and passion for the School is well known and his contribution will be missed.
“Likewise Eric Gwee is a director whose knowledge and experience internationally has also added considerable value to the School.”
Mr. Barnes says that the renewed Board will focus on fostering stronger relationships between MBS and its alumni, corporate partners and the University of Melbourne.
He added, “I am looking forward to working with all of our stakeholders, especially our donor members who helped us to build the school in the past, given us our independence and unique financial position, and whose continuing support ensures we are able to offer the best business and executive education in Australia and the Asia Pacific region.”