Ann Sherry
Head of Group Human Resources
Westpac Banking Corporation

This speaker's paper is available here.

Ann was appointed Head of Group Human Resources for Westpac Banking Corporation in March 1999.

Prior to this appointment Ann managed the Human Resources & Public Affairs Section during the merger of the Bank of Melbourne and Westpac Corporation in Victoria. She was responsible for the people management part of the merger. Ann has been at Wespac now for five years, and in that time has worked to introduce paid maternity leave and other work/family initiatives, sexual harassment policy and procedures and a focus on women customers. Westpac has been recognised as one of Australia's leading employers.

Prior to Westpac, Ann was First Assistant Secretary of the Office of the Status of Women in Canberra. She advised the Prime Minister on policies and programmes to improve delivery of Government services to women.

Ann is also a member of the Task Force on "Caring for Children" chaired by the Family Court Chief Justice Alistair Nicholson, a Director of Plan Australia and a member of the Monash University Council. She was until last year Chair of the Australia Institute of Family Studies and Chair and Director of the Australian Council of Businesswomen.