Major bank appoints non-executive director

Dr Scheinkestel will also be a member of the Board Risk Committee and the Board Remuneration Committee upon her appointment. 

Westpac outlined that Dr Scheinkestel “is a highly experienced company director”, having served as a non-executive director across a variety of public and private companies, including Telstra Corp Ltd, Brambles Ltd and AusNet Services Ltd. 

She has also been a board member of the Takeovers Panel and, prior to her board roles, was a senior banking executive and a lawyer specialising in Australian and international project finance. 

Additionally, Dr Scheinkestel is an associate professor in the Melbourne Business School at the University of Melbourne. 

In 2003, she was awarded a centenary medal for services to Australian society in business leadership. 

Speaking of the appointment, Westpac chairman John McFarlane said: “We are very pleased to welcome Nora to the board. Nora has extensive board experience across a range of industries and her financial and risk management expertise and deep understanding of governance will complement the board’s collective skills.”

Westpac has also announced Craig Dunn’s retirement from the board, which will take effect from the conclusion of Westpac’s 2021 annual general meeting. 

Mr Dunn joined the board in 2015 and, in that time, has served on various board committees, including the board risk remuneration and nominations and governance committee.

[Related: Westpac issues ‘our own doing’: chairman]