Cairns commences as Woolworths chair

Former Lion Nathan chief Gordon Cairns yesterday commenced with Woolworths as chairman and a non-executive director (NED).

Outgoing chairman and NED, Ralph Waters, retired from the Woolworths board on the same day (as of midnight 1 September).

Cairns is currently chairman of Origin Energy and Quick Service Restaurant Group. He is a director of Macquarie Group and Macquarie Bank and a NED at World Education Australia.

He was previously chairman at David Jones and Rebel Group as well as a director of The Centre for Independent Studies and a director of Westpac Banking Corporation.

Dominik Kucera, executive director and chief financial officer (CFO) at Capitol Health, has stepped down with immediate effect. Kucera has worked at the company since July 2008.

Peter Lewis has been appointed CFO in addition to his role as chief operating officer. He has also been appointed to the board as an executive director. Kucera has agreed to provide transition assistance to the group until mid-October.

Capitol Health is in the process of selecting an independent non-executive director.