Pacific National is delighted to announce Catherine Livingstone AO has been appointed as the new independent Chair of the Pacific National Board of Directors
Ms Livingstone assumed the position Monday, 13 March 2023.
Over her career, Ms Livingstone has contributed to the development and growth of the Australian economy through her extensive business, finance, and executive leadership.
Ms Livingstone was the former Chair of the Commonwealth Bank of Australia, Telstra Corporation Limited and CSIRO. She has served on the Boards of Macquarie Group, Goodman Fielder, Rural Press, and WorleyParsons Ltd.
Ms Livingstone is currently Chancellor of the University of Technology Sydney, and is a director of Saluda Medical Pty Ltd and The Australian Ballet.
Pacific National would like to express its gratitude and appreciation to Russell Smith, who has served as the Chair of Pacific National for the past six years.
Under Russell’s stewardship he successfully guided the board and executive team through Asciano’s sale of Pacific National to Australian Logistics Acquisition Investments Pty Ltd, acquisition of Acacia Ridge Terminal (Brisbane), and the development and construction of Parkes Logistics Terminal (Central West, New South Wales) and St Marys Freight Hub (Western Sydney).
Russell was instrumental in developing a strong safety culture at Pacific National and maintaining essential daily rail freight services during the height of the coronavirus pandemic.
Russell will continue with Pacific National as a Director of the Board.
Paul Scurrah, Chief Executive Officer
Comments attributed to Pacific National Chair Catherine Livingstone AO:
“The coronavirus pandemic and associated border lockdowns, widespread and severe flooding in the past 18-months, and now inflationary pressure have shone a spotlight on the criticality of our national supply chain. Every Australian household and business rely on the capacity and integrity of our freight and logistics sector.
“I’m proud to chair Australia’s largest private rail freight company – a trusted and respected company which plays an integral role in the economic and social wellbeing of our nation.
“Rail is the safest, most efficient, and environmentally friendly way to transport large volumes of bulk freight across our vast continent. I look forward to working with customers and government to both promote and realise the many and varied benefits of transporting more freight by rail. This includes working closely with government to build greater resilience and reliability into interstate and regional rail networks and highlighting the central role our sector will play in helping to achieve Australia’s emissions reduction targets.
“I sense Australia is on the verge of a rail renaissance – a period whereby both the private and public sectors will work more closely together to deliver deep and long-lasting reforms in our sector.”
