
Top stories






More news

Marketing & Media
Tractor Media Holdings evolves into media and innovation hub Glynt
Tractor Outdoor 21 hours














ESG & Sustainability
From dependency to empowerment: Why we need to transform CSI in Africa


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."