Liberty Group has appointed a new non-executive director to the board of Liberty Financial Group Limited.
Dr Jane Watts (pictured) has been appointed to help guide Liberty on its continued growth and development.
Watts is currently on the boards of Family Zone, Orygen Youth Mental Health Foundation and the Westpac Foundation.
She has been a member of a variety of internal company boards over many years as well as not-for-profit enterprises and was previously a non-executive director on the financial advisory and accounting boards of Findex and Lachlan Partners.
“I am delighted to join the board and contribute to Liberty’s ongoing growth,” Watts said.
“Liberty has a clear purpose and a motivated, collaborative team.”
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Watts boasts more than 30 years’ experience across banking and financial services including holding senior executive positions in Westpac, BT Financial Group, Macquarie and Lendlease.
Throughout her career, Watts has led large customer-facing businesses through a range of business cycles and in different market segments including private banking, financial advice, wealth management, consumer banking and business banking.
Most recently, Watts was the chief customer engagement officer for Westpac Business Bank before she embarked on a non-executive director board career.
“As a Certified B Corporation, Liberty is committed to creating exceptional, shared value in the community,” she said.
“It’s not a one-size-fits-all company in the way it supports its staff and customers. I like that approach and respect the strong culture this has creat ed for close to 25 years.”
Liberty Financial Group chairman Richard Longes said he was delighted to welcome Watts to the board with her extensive experience in customer business development.
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“Jane’s passions, expertise and values align with the free-thinking and customer-first ethos of Liberty,” Longes said.
“Jane brings a strong commitment to diversity and inclusion, a passion for people and a 30-year career in banking and finance, underpinned by strategic marketing and digital capabilities. As the business continues to expand, Jane will play a key role in helping to guide our approach.”
The Liberty Financial Group Limited board has four independent directors: Richard Longes (chair), Peter Hawkins, Leona Murphy and Jane Watts.
The executive directors are James Boyle (CEO), Sherman Ma (executive director) and Peter Riedel (chief financial officer) is the company secretary.
