Major appointment of Independent Board Members for Ashurst

Law firm Ashurst has appointed Robert Gillespie and David Turner as Independent Board Members - the first time Ashurst has made such appointments.

Robert Gillespie, former Director General of the Panel on Takeovers and Mergers, will join the Board of Ashurst LLP with immediate effect and David Turner, Chairman of the Commonwealth Bank of Australia, joins the Board of Ashurst Australia with effect from 1 June 2013.

Robert was Director General of the Panel on from 2010 until April this year. He began his career as a chartered accountant with Price Waterhouse, qualifying in 1980. Joining S G Warburg, Robert was successively appointed Managing Director responsible for the advisory business of S G Warburg and Co Inc, New York; Head of UK Corporate Finance, SBC Warburg, London; Head of European Corporate Finance, Warburg Dillon Read and Joint Global Head of Investment Banking, UBS Warburg. In 2004 he was appointed CEO of the UBS Investment Bank, EMEA and in 2005 he was also appointed Vice-Chairman of UBS Investment Bank.

David Turner has been Chairman of the board of the Commonwealth Bank of Australia since 2010, having been appointed a member of the board in 2006. He is Chairman of CBA's Performance and Renewal Committee, a member of its Risk Committee and People & Remuneration Committee. He was Chairman of Cobham plc until 2010 and has held a number of directorships including Whitbread plc and the Iron Trades Insurance Group and has been a member of the Quotations Committee of the London Stock Exchange. David was CEO of Brambles Limited until 2007, and formerly CFO until 2003. He was also Finance Director of GKN plc, Finance Director of Booker plc and spent six years with Mobil Oil.

Both will join the firm's global board after the full merger of Ashurst Australia and Ashurst LLP.

Commenting on the appointments, senior partner of Ashurst LLP, Charlie Geffen said:

"Both Robert and David are seasoned board directors and during their careers they have accumulated considerable experience both domestically and internationally. Ashurst will greatly benefit from having such experienced independent board members who can provide external advice and expertise."

Robert Gillespie added:

"Ashurst has undergone a marked period of transformation in recent years, which makes it a fascinating time to join as an Independent Board Member. I hope that my experience in the City and internationally will bring some relevant experience to the table from which the firm can benefit."

Chairman of Ashurst Australia, Mary Padbury, commented:

"We are delighted that David and Robert are joining the Ashurst Board. They both have exceptional credentials. Their strategic input and guidance will be invaluable to Ashurst as we continue our progress towards achieving our objective of becoming a premier global firm.

"From an international perspective, David's global experience in working across borders and dealing with a diverse range of issues as CFO, CEO and chairman will be of enormous benefit to our firm."

David Turner said:

"The legal sector is undergoing a period of significant change and Ashurst itself is going through an exciting period of transformation. Having worked internationally in sectors which have also seen changes over the years, I hope to be able to bring some insights and perspectives to the firm."

Ashurst LLP's board comprises senior partner Charlie Geffen, managing partner James Collis, chairman of Ashurst Australia Mary Padbury, CFO Brian Dunlop and partners Matthew Bubb, Cristina Calvo, Anthony Clare, Reinhard Eyring , Logan Mair and Ben Tidswell.

Ashurst Australia's board comprises chairman Mary Padbury, managing partner John Carrington, senior partner of Ashurst LLP Charlie Geffen and partners Elspeth Arnold, Tony Denholder, Sarah Dulhunty, Paul Jenkins and Ian Williams.