AAWD Announces New Board Members
MEDIA RELEASE
1 February 2012
AAWD ANNOUNCES NEW BOARD MEMBERS
AAWD yesterday appointed Paul Bedbrook, Esme Bowen and Michael Lane to the Board of Directors of Australian Athletes With a Disability.
Tanya Cox, Chair of AAWD said “I am pleased to announce our 3 new board appointments. Each Director will bring their own strengths and expertise to the Board.”
“Paul Bedbrook has over a decade of experience in various CEO roles, including Regional CEO of ING (Asia Pacific). Paul’s board experience includes CUA (Australia’ largest credit union) and the National Blood Authority. Paul’s strategic thinking and investment experience will be invaluable to help guide AAWD’s future direction.”
“Esme Bowen brings over 20 years of disability sport experience. Esme has been the President of Wheelchair Sports Australia since 2008 and her deep understanding of and experience in disability sport, coupled with her existing industry relationships will assist AAWD to build stronger bonds with its stakeholders.”
“Michael Lane has over 20 years experience in the commercial property sector. Michael is currently the Head of Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability at DEXUS Property Group and his involvement with various levels of industry and government will be invaluable to AAWD. Michael also has specific experience in engaging communities and involving stakeholders, which will support AAWD’s participation objective.”
Directors’ Biographies
Paul Bedbrook B.Sc., FSIA, GAICD
Paul Bedbrook has had a career of over thirty years in financial services. He was an executive for 26 years with the Dutch global banking, insurance and investment group, ING. His early career was as an investment analyst and portfolio manager and he was the General Manager Investments & Chief Investment Officer for the Mercantile Mutual (ING) Group in Sydney from 1987 to 1995. In the decade to 2010 Paul performed the roles of President and CEO, INGDIRECT Bank, Canada; CEO and director of ING Australia (the wealth JV with ANZ, now OnePath) and Regional CEO, ING Asia Pacific in Hong Kong. Paul brings a wealth of hands-on senior corporate experience to AAWD. Paul’s father, the late Sir George Bedbrook, was a pioneer in wheelchair sports as early as the 1950s.
Esme Bowen B.Sc. (Nursing), RN, GAICD
Esme Bowen is a registered nurse (paediatric/spinal/orthopaedic); company director of a Perth based family retail surf business and is also involved in Tourism in the far north Kimberley region of WA. Esme is currently Senior Vice President of the Royal Automobile Club of WA, a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and President of Wheelchair Sports Australia since 2008. Esme joined the board of Wheelchair Sports WA in 1993 and has held the position of President since 2002. At the grass roots level, Esme has been involved in coordinating first aid services, recruiting volunteers for sports events and personally contributing to the process of classification of athletes.
Michael Lane B.Sc. (Microbiology)
Michael has over 20 years’ experience in the commercial property industry having worked for organisations such as Myer, Coles, Growth Equities Mutual, Lend Lease and DEXUS Property Group. Michael is currently the Head of Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability at DEXUS Property Group. Michael sits on the National Sustainability Roundtable for the Property Council of Australia, the NSW Sustainable Development Committee and the City of Sydney Better Buildings Partnership Leadership Panel. Michael graduated from the University of Sydney with a Bachelor of Science (Microbiology) and has completed various management courses with the Australian Graduate School of Management.