Sydney, 8 February 2017: Clayton Utz Major Projects partner Steve O'Reilly has been appointed Chair of the Firm's Board, effective 1 January 2017. Steve succeeds Dispute Resolution partner Ross Perrett, who served in the role for six years.
The Board has also appointed Jane Halton AO PSM[1] as an independent non-executive director, also with effect from 1 January 2017. Jane replaces Peter Hawkins, who will retire from the Board during 2017.
Steve is a longstanding Clayton Utz partner, specialising in Construction and Major Projects and International Arbitration. He is actively involved in the Firm's Pro Bono practice and Social Responsibility programs, and is a founding member of the not-for-profit organisation, Communities Assist.
Jane has extensive public and private sector experience, with a particular focus on the health sector. In a 33-year career within the public service, she held several senior roles including Deputy Secretary in the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet, Secretary of the Department of Health (formerly Health and Ageing) and most recently, Secretary of the Department of Finance. Jane has also held various senior roles within the OECD and World Health Organisation, and also served for five years as a Commissioner on the Australian Sports Commission. In October 2016, Jane was appointed to the board of ANZ as a non-executive director.
Jane said she was delighted to join the Board. "Clayton Utz has an exciting future ahead of it. The firm has a considerable depth of talent, and its leadership in pro bono, as well as commitment to social responsibility, is impressive."
Steve said: "Jane brings vast executive and board experience across the health, governance, public policy, finance and other areas that will be of particular value to our Board and to Clayton Utz."
[1] Jane holds an honours degree in Psychology from Australian National University, is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, a fellow of the Australian Institute of Management and member of Chief Executive Women. Jane also holds adjunct Professorial positions at the University of Sydney and University of Canberra.Back to article