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New Chairman appointed to The Smith Family Board

Media releases

08 April 2016

The Smith Family’s Chairman, James M. Millar AM, is stepping down after five years of service to Australia’s leading children’s education charity, effective from 30 April 2016.

Current Smith Family Director, Christine Bartlett has been appointed Chairman and will take up the role from 1 May 2016.

Mr Millar said: “My decision to stand down as Chairman is based on my belief that organisations, particularly those in the not-for-profit sector, benefit from Chair rotation and gain from the energy that a new Chairman brings. The Smith Family will have this in Christine Bartlett as Chairman.”

The Smith Family CEO, Dr Lisa O’Brien said: “In those five years there has been significant, positive change at The Smith Family.

“Throughout this period James has brought his extensive leadership capability and stability to the Board and to The Smith Family’s Executive team. I thank him for his years of dedicated and committed service to our organisation.”

As an experienced CEO and senior executive, Ms Bartlett brings extensive management experience to The Smith Family gained through roles with IBM, Jones Lang LaSalle and NAB.

Ms Bartlett’s current Board appointments are Sigma Pharmaceuticals, Mirvac Group, GBST Limited and Clayton Utz. She is also a member of the UNSW Australia School of Business Advisory Council, Chief Executive Women and the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Dr O’Brien said: “The Smith Family welcomes Christine Bartlett as incoming Chairman and looks forward to working with Christine on the next phase of The Smith Family’s journey.”

Media contacts:

Andrew Dickson | National Media Manager (National) - 0421 285 529 | andrew.dickson@thesmithfamily.com.au
Carla Horton | Senior Media Advisor (QLD & WA) - 0423 618 776 | carla.horton@thesmithfamily.com.au
Reid Jermyn | Media Advisor (VIC, SA & NT) - 0412 803 566 | reid.jermyn@thesmithfamily.com.au
Ben Chenoweth | Senior Media Advisor (NSW, ACT & TAS) - 0413 346 934 | ben.chenoweth@thesmithfamily.com.au

The Smith Family is a national children’s education charity that helps young Australians experiencing disadvantage to create better futures for themselves through harnessing the power of education. We partner with around 800 Australian schools and work with over 162,000 children and young people experiencing disadvantage access our education support programs to help them overcome . For more information, visit thesmithfamily.com.au