High powered trio of women joins Business Council of Australia board

Three high profile female business leaders have joined the Business Council of Australia board as it refocuses on a post-COVID recovery.

Mirvac managing director Susan Lloyd-Hurwitz. Picture: Britta Campion

KPMG’s Alison Kitchen, Dow Australia’s Karen Dobson and Mirvac chief executive Susan Lloyd-Hurwitz will join the Business Council of Australia board from the start of March, with a firm focus on how the nation ­recovers from the pandemic.

The BCA board will be dominated by women following the ­appointments, joining current members including Coca-Cola-Amatil managing director Alison Watkins and EnergyAustralia managing director Catherine Tanna, with BCA’s long-serving chief executive Jennifer Westacott rounding out the impressive ­female contingent.

Other board members include president Tim Reed, Qantas chief executive Alan Joyce, Woodside managing director Peter Coleman and Gilbert + Tobin managing partner Danny Gilbert.

KPMG’s Australian chair Alison Kitchen.

Mr Reed said the appointments would “ bring new perspectives from businesses across the economy as we work to ensure Australia’s recovery from the pandemic is fuelled by new investment and jobs”.

“Our goal is to help make sure Australians get the new jobs and higher wages they deserve, and these passionate advocates for business will be an asset as we work to deliver on that promise,’’ Mr Reed said

Ms Kitchen, KPMG’s national chairman, said it was a privilege to join the board as it helped guide the nation through its recovery.

“Australia’s success in emerging from COVID and rebuilding our economy shows first-hand the benefits of working together towards a common goal,’’ she said.

In a recent report, KPMG said the pandemic had the potential to exacerbate inequality as some benefited while others struggled.

Dow Australia and New Zealand president Karen Dobson.

Ms Kitchen advocated at the time for a retention of the rate of JobSeeker payments, saying the fallback to pre-pandemic levels was something that KPMG had ­argued was too low for some time.

KPMG has also focused on the experience of its new graduates, who have not experienced the usual entree into working life their predecessors had.

Dow Australia and New Zealand president Karen Dobson said the economic recovery would require investment and job creation.

“I look forward to bringing Dow’s perspective on manufacturing and industry to the board table, helping to make Australia a more globally competitive place to do business, innovate and unlock new opportunities,” Ms Dobson said.

Mirvac managing director Susan Lloyd-Hurwitz said: “I am delighted to join the BCA board and look forward to working with our members as we harness the potential of business to help drive a robust recovery.”