Westpac appoints former KPMG Partner as Independent Director

Westpac Banking Corporation has announced the appointment of Peter Nash to the Westpac board, effective 7 March 2018.

Nash previously spent 24 years as a partner with KPMG before departing the firm in September 2017. From 2011 until August 2017, he served as the National chair of KPMG Australia, where he was responsible for the governance and strategic positioning of KPMG in Australia. In this role, he also served as a member of the global board of KPMG and was the chair of KPMG's global investment committee.

Nash's current non-executive roles include, chair of the Johns Lyng Group Limited, and director of Reconciliation Australia, Koorie Heritage Trust, Migration Council Australia and Golf Victoria.

Commenting on his appointment, Westpac chair, Lindsay Maxsted, said: "Peter brings significant financial, accounting, risk management and business strategy expertise which will further complement the Board's capabilities. In addition, his experience in geographically diverse and complex operating environments and regulatory matters together with his focus on financial services, particularly banking, will be an asset to the Board."

Nash, who will serve as an independent director, will also become a member of the board risk & compliance committee and audit committee.