CBA appoints Independent Director

The Commonwealth Bank of Australia (CBA) has appointed Mary Padbury as an independent non-executive director to the bank's board

Padbury is an intellectual property lawyer with an Australian and international legal career spanning more than 30 years. She is a partner and the vice chair of Ashurst, and was previously the chair of Ashurst Australia for eight years prior to the firm's full merger with Ashurst LLP.

Earlier in her career, Padbury spent a number of years in the United Kingdom with boutique firm, Bristows and as resident partner of Ashurst Australia.

She is currently a director of the Burnet Institute and the Australasian Gastro-Intestinal Trials Group, and is also a member of both the Australian Government's Professional Standards Board for Patent and Trade Marks Attorneys and Melbourne University Law School Foundation.

Commenting on her appointment, CBA chair David Turner said: "I am delighted that a person of Mary's accomplishments and integrity is joining our Board. Her exemplary legal and governance skills, together with her international experience, will greatly benefit the Bank's Board and will support the Group's vision and strategic initiatives. We are very much looking forward to her joining our Board."