BOARD OF DIRECTORS


Geoff McGrath MIIE
Chairman and Non-Executive Director

  • Expertise: Manufacturing and general management
  • Special Responsibilities: Chairman of Board, Chairman of Nomination Committee and member of Audit and Remuneration Committees

Mr McGrath was appointed a Non-Executive Director of GWA Group Limited in 2004 and was appointed Chairman effective 1 July 2010. He retired from GWA Group Limited in May 2003 after 43 years service, including the last 10 years as Managing Director. In 1982 Mr McGrath was appointed Managing Director of the GWA Manufacturing Group companies following the takeover of UPL Group by the former public company, GWA Limited.

During the past three years, Mr McGrath has served as a director of the following other listed companies, and the period in which the directorships have been held:

  • Campbell Brothers Limited since 2003*+
  • Fletcher Building Limited 2003 – 2009

*denotes current directorship
+denotes Chairman

 

Peter Crowley BA B Econ FAICD
Managing Director

  • Expertise: Broad manufacturing experience in Australia and overseas

2003: Managing Director of GWA Group Limited;

2001: Managing Director and Chief Executive, Austrim Nylex Limited, a diversified industrial company;

1999: Executive Director, Cement and Lime, The Rugby Group PLC, a UK Public Company with extensive international cement operations. During this period, also served as a director of Adelaide Brighton Limited;

1997: Chief Executive, Cockburn Cement Limited (a subsidiary of The Rugby Group PLC), Western Australia’s largest cement producer and Australia’s largest lime producer;

1982: Various roles with Queensland Cement Limited and its parent company Holderbank culminating in General Management responsibilities within Australia and South-East Asia.

 

Darryl McDonough BBus (Acty), LLB (Hons), SJD, FCPA, FAICD
Deputy Chairman and Non-Executive Director

  • Expertise: Experienced public company director and lawyer 
  • Special Responsibilities: Deputy Chairman of Board, Member of Nomination Committee

Mr McDonough was appointed a Non-Executive Director of GWA Group Limited in February 2009 and was appointed Deputy Chairman in October 2009. He has over 25 years of corporate experience as a director and lawyer. He has served as a director of a number of public companies in the past, including Bank of Queensland Limited and Super Retail Group Limited and is a Past-President of The Australian Institute of Company Directors, Queensland Division.

During the past three years, Mr McDonough has served as a director of the following other listed company, and the period in which the directorship has been held:

  • Super Retail Group Limited 2003 - 2010

 

Robert Anderson
Non-Executive Director

  • Expertise: Property investment and transport logistics

Mr Anderson was appointed a Non-Executive Director of GWA Group Limited in 1992. He was appointed a director of the former public company, GWA Limited in 1979 after joining the Group in 1955 where he gained wide experience in management, investment and property matters.

 

Bill Bartlett FCA, CPA, FCMA, CA(SA)
Non-Executive Director

  • Expertise: Chartered Accountant, actuarial, insurance and financial services
  • Special Responsibilities: Chairman of Audit and Remuneration Committees and a member of the Nomination Committee

Mr Bartlett was appointed a Non-Executive Director of GWA Group Limited in 2007 and Chairman of the Audit Committee in October 2009. He is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants with over 35 years experience in accounting, and was a partner at Ernst & Young in Australia for 23 years, retiring on 30 June 2003. He is a director of the Bradman Foundation and Museum and Chairman of the Cerebral Palsy Council of Governors.

During the past three years, Mr Bartlett has served as a director of the following other listed companies, and the period in which the directorships have been held:

  • Suncorp Group Limited since 2003*
  • Reinsurance Group of America Inc (NYSE) since 2004*
  • Abacus Property Group since 2007*

*denotes current directorship

 

John Mulcahy PhD (Civil Engineering), FIE Aust
Non-Executive Director

  • Expertise: Civil Engineer and experienced public company director
  • Special Responsibilities: Member of Remuneration Committee

Mr Mulcahy was appointed a Non-Executive Director of GWA Group Limited in November 2010.  He is a Fellow of the Institute of Engineers and is a Non-Executive Director of Mirvac Group Limited, Chairman of Coffey International Limited and a Guardian of the Future Fund.  He is the former Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Suncorp Group Limited (“Suncorp”).  Prior to joining Suncorp, he held a number of senior executive roles at the Commonwealth Bank and Lend Lease Corporation.

During the past three years, Mr Mulcahy has served as a director of the following other listed companies, and the period in which the directorships have been held:

  • Mirvac Group Limited since 2009*
  • Coffey International Limited since 2009*+
  • Suncorp Group Limited 2003 - 2009
  • Campbell Brothers Limited since Feb 2012*

*denotes current directorship +denotates Chairman

 

Peter Birtles BSc, ACA
Non-Executive Director 

  • Expertise: Chartered Accountant, retail, financial and operational
  • Special Responsibilities: Member of Audit Committee

Mr Birtles was appointed a Non-Executive Director of GWA Group Limited in November 2010.  He is a Chartered Accountant and is the current Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Super Retail Group Limited (“Super Retail”).  He was formerly the Chief Financial Officer of Super Retail.  Prior to joining Super Retail, he held a variety of finance, operational and information technology roles with The Boots Company in the United Kingdom and Australia and worked for Coopers & Lybrand.

During the past three years, Mr Birtles has served as a director of the following other listed company, and the period in which the directorships has been held:

  • Super Retail Group Limited since 2006*

*denotes current directorship

 

Richard Thornton CA B Com LLB (Hons) LLM
Executive Director and Company Secretary

  • Expertise: Chartered Accountant, taxation and finance
Mr Thornton was appointed an Executive Director of GWA Group Limited in May 2009. He joined GWA Group Limited in 2002 as Group Taxation Manager and Treasurer and was appointed Company Secretary in 2003. He is a Chartered Accountant and is experienced in accounting, taxation and finance through positions at Coopers & Lybrand, Citibank and Ernst & Young in Australia and overseas. Mr Thornton continued in his role as Company Secretary following his appointment as an Executive Director in 2009. He is a Director of Great Western Corporation Pty Ltd.