G8 Education chair Debra Singh has been forced to defend two of the childcare giant’s directors – David Foster and Toni Thornton – who have been on the board of Star Entertainment, the gaming group accused of serious governance failings.

In response to questions at the company’s annual meeting, Ms Singh said Mr Foster, G8’s former chairman who finished as a director on Tuesday, had helped her transition to her new role, and had done a “wonderful job”.