CBA appoints Kate Howitt as non-executive director

The Chair of the Commonwealth Bank of Australia (CBA), Paul O’Malley, today announced the appointment of Kate Howitt to CBA’s Board as an Independent Non-Executive Director with effect from 1 October 2024, subject to regulatory requirements.

Kate has a deep understanding of strategy, capital allocation, stakeholder management and sustainability. She is currently a member of the finance & strategy committee and investments sub-committee of the University of New South Wales, the investment committee of the Australian Indigenous Education Foundation and the investment committee of River Capital, a multi-asset boutique fund manager. She is also a director of The Hunger Project Australia. During her executive career, Kate held senior roles with Fidelity International, AMP Capital, AMP Limited and The Boston Consulting Group.

Paul O’Malley said: “On behalf of the Board, I am delighted to announce Kate Howitt’s appointment and to welcome her breadth of corporate expertise in her role as a Non-Executive Director of CBA.”

CBA also wishes to advise that Anne Templeman-Jones, Independent Non-Executive Director of the CBA Board, has decided not to offer herself for re-election at the 2024 Annual General Meeting (AGM).  Anne will retire from the Board at the conclusion of the 2024 AGM.

Anne joined the CBA Board in March 2018 after serving as the Chair of a number of CBA’s key operating subsidiaries. During her tenure on the CBA Board, Anne has been the Chair of the Board Audit Committee and a member of the Board Risk & Compliance Committee.

Paul O’Malley said: “On behalf of the Board, I would like to thank Anne for her contribution to the CBA Group as an Independent Non-Executive Director. Anne’s banking and financial services, operational risk, strategy and audit experience have been invaluable to CBA, particularly in relation to her role as Board Audit Committee Chair. On behalf of CBA, I thank Anne for her contribution to CBA.”

In light of Anne’s departure, Peter Harmer will commence as the Chair of the Board Audit Committee at the conclusion of the AGM on 16 October 2024. 

The Board remains focused on ongoing Board renewal and succession and proposes to appoint another Non-Executive Director in the next twelve months.

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