Freehills announced today a new externally appointed board member, following an extensive search and selection process.
Garry Hounsell joins Freehills’ board this month, bringing with him extensive experience in the Australian professional services industry, including management roles with Arthur Andersen and Ernst & Young, as well as directorships of Qantas, Orica, Nufarm, Pan Australia, Mitchell Communication Group, Investec Global Aircraft Fund, Ingeus, Prudentia Investments, and Burnet Institute.
In making the announcement today, Freehills’ chairman, Robert Nicholson, said Mr Hounsell would add considerably to the board’s capabilities. Garry will join existing external board member Helen Nugent, who continues to add value to the board with her expertise, from her career in consulting and financial services, and her board experience with Macquarie Group, Origin Energy, Australian Davos Connection, Funds SA, Swiss Re Life and Health (Australia), and the South Australian Economic Development Board.
‘It’s a distinct advantage for a large and diverse partnership such as ours to be able to call on the external perspective and experience at board level that someone with Mr Hounsell’s outstanding career background can bring. Most firms just have advisory councils to tap external experience, but Freehills’ approach is to incorporate external experience into its board,’ Mr Nicholson said.
Previous senior positions Mr Hounsell has held include those of Senior Partner and Member of the Australian Management Committee at Ernst & Young, Chief Executive Officer and Country Managing Partner of Arthur Andersen in Australia, and Managing Partner of Asia Pacific of Corporate Finance, Arthur Andersen. During his time at Arthur Andersen and at Ernst & Young, Mr Hounsell had responsibility for running significant audits with BHP Billiton and other major corporations.
Mr Hounsell joins Freehills’ board of six elected partners, external board member, Helen Nugent, and CEO, Gavin Bell. He replaces John Harvey, who stepped down from the board following a very successful five year tenure.
Mr Nicholson concluded by saying that Freehills has further strengthened its core focus on assisting clients in successfully navigating complex and diverse business challenges. ‘We welcome Mr Hounsell to Freehills’ board and look forward to the added value he will bring to our firm and our clients, boosting our strong client focus through his commercial business approach. We also look forward to working with him as a core member of the board, with responsibility for driving business strategy and growth and further strengthening our exceptional market position,’ Mr Nicholson said.
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