Kelly has enjoyed an illustrious banking career spanning 35 years, split equally between South Africa and Australia. While in South Africa, she held a number of senior executive positions in the Nedbank Group.
Over the past 13 years, Kelly has served as the Group CEO and MD of two banks in Australia - St. George Bank from 2002 to 2007 and Westpac from 2008 to 2015. In 2008, these two banks came together under Kelly's leadership in what was the largest in-market merger in Australian financial services. At the time of her retirement in February this year, The Westpac Group was the country's second-largest bank and the twelfth-largest bank in the world, in terms of market capitalisation.
Kelly's current responsibilities include the international roles of being a member of the Group of Thirty and the Global Board of Advisors at the US Council on Foreign Relations. She also serves as a Director of the Business Council of Australia and as the Ambassador for Women's Empowerment for CARE Australia.
Commenting on the appointment, WHL Chairman Simon Susman said: "We are thrilled that Gail is joining our board. As our group grows to become a major southern hemisphere retailer of scale, it is a real honour to have a world-class mind such as Gail's to help us navigate the fast-moving environment of global retail. After decades at the top of the corporate ladder in both of our major markets, I look forward to seeing the value her experience and perspective will bring to our group."
Kelly said: "I am very pleased to accept Simon's invitation to join the Board of WHL. Growing up in South Africa, I have always had a love for the Woolworths brand, and while in Australia I have closely observed its growth path, including the acquisitions of Country Road and David Jones. I am looking forward to working with my fellow directors and the Woolworths team, both in South Africa and in Australia, to assist them on their ambition of becoming a leading southern hemisphere retailer."
