New Melbourne Business School Board Chairman announced

Melbourne Business School (MBS) has announced the retirement of Board Chairman Peter Barnes and named his successor.

Mr Ross Barker, Managing Director of Australian Foundation Investment Company Limited is set to become the Chairman of the MBS Board from 1 January 2015.

Mr Peter Barnes has been the Chairman of MBS Board since 2010 however his relationship with the Melbourne Business School spans more than forty years having been awarded his MBA in 1970.

Mr Barker, who is also an Alumnus of the School having been awarded his MBA in 1982, joined the MBS Board in 2012 from which time he has served as Chair of its Investment Committee and as a member of the Finance, Audit & Risk Committee.  He is a member of several boards and his expertise in the Investment and Finance Sector serves him well as he takes up the Chairmanship of the MBS Board.

Mr Barnes said it had been a "great privilege" to be the Chairman of MBS.

In retiring from the Board Mr Barnes said “I am confident that I leave behind a strong Board and a well governed School that has a clear strategy and vision - and a School that offers excellence at every level of business and executive education - and a capable management team to achieve that vision.”

Mr Barnes said the highlight of his time as Chairman was the establishment of the collaboration between MBS and The University of Melbourne thereby creating the University’s sole Graduate Business School.

Professor Zeger Degraeve, Dean of Melbourne Business School says “My congratulations and thanks go out to Peter on his retirement.  He has been an excellent mentor for me since my arrival from Europe. The School as a whole has greatly benefited from his wise counsel and strong leadership.”

As Chairman elect, Mr Barker echoed these sentiments in thanking Mr Barnes for his Chairmanship of the School over the past 5 years. He said “These have been important years in the growth and development of the Melbourne Business School. Peter’s fine leadership has ensured there are sound foundations for us to continue to grow by focusing on excellence. We look forward to building on his legacy at the School.”

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