Leighton Holdings Chairman, Mr Bob Humphris OAM, has announced his retirement as Chairman and his resignation as a Non-executive Director effective as of today. Mr Humphris signalled his intention to retire at the company’s recent Annual General Meeting in May.
Mr Humphris said: “It has been a privilege to be involved with Leighton for the last nine and a half years and as Chairman for the last year. However it is now time for me to retire from corporate life and to hand over to a new team.
“I look forward to watching Leighton grow and prosper in the future, building on the professionalism of our staff and, in particular, the group’s very strong ‘can do’ culture. The Leighton Group is a wonderful contractor and I’m sure that it has a bright future ahead of it.”
Chief Executive Officer, Mr Marcelino Fernández Verdes, has been appointed to the role of Executive Chairman, replacing Mr Humphris.
Mr Fernández Verdes said: “It is an honour to be appointed to the role of Executive Chairman at Leighton Holdings and I look forward to continuing to build on our rich history as one of the world’s leading international contractors.
“I am very grateful to Mr Humphris for his commitment to Leighton over close to 10 years, and his dedication as a Director and as Chairman. Mr Humphris has made a very important contribution to the Group during his tenure and is highly respected throughout the industry and across Leighton’s operations.
“On behalf of all our employees I wish Mr Humphris a very long and happy retirement. I have enjoyed working with Mr Humphris and have valued our time working together,” said Mr Fernández Verdes.
The Company also appointed two new Independent Non-executive Directors, Mr Russell Chenu and Mr Trevor Gerber. Mr Chenu will be the Chair of both the Audit Committee and Ethics and Compliance Committee. Mr Gerber will be the Chairman of the Remuneration and Nominations Committee.
“Mr Chenu brings more than 20 years’ board experience as CFO of five separate ASX listed companies from 1991 to 2013, across a range of industries, which makes him an ideal candidate as the new Chairman of our Audit Committee,” said Mr Fernández Verdes.
“Mr Gerber has extensive executive and board experience across the property, funds management, hotels/tourism, infrastructure and aquaculture industries which will be a valuable addition to the Leighton Board.
“I look forward to the opportunity to work with both Mr Chenu and Mr Gerber and welcome them to the Company,” said Mr Fernández Verdes.
The following changes will also be made to the Alternate Directorships:
• Mr Robert Seidler AM has been appointed an Alternate Director for Mr José-Luis del Valle Pérez and Mr Peter Sassenfeld from 11 June 2014.
• Mr Robert Seidler AM, an Alternate Director for Mr Marcelino Fernández Verdes from June 2013,ceased to be his Alternate from 11 June 2014.
• Mr David Robinson has been appointed an Alternate Director for Mr Pedro LópezJiménez from 11 June 2014.
• Mr Pedro López Jiménez, an Alternate Director for Mr Peter Sassenfeld from June 2013,
ceased to be his Alternate from 11 June 2014.
