Helloworld has appointed Treasury Wine Estates Limited director, Garry Hounsell, as its new independent chairman of the board effective immediately.

Andrew Burnes, Helloworld CEO and managing director, said Hounsell’s appointment was a “great outcome” for the company.

“We are delighted to welcome Garry Hounsell to the board of Helloworld Limited as our new chairman,” Burnes said.

“He brings with him a wealth of experience being a respected director of a wide range of highly successful boards as well as an extensive career history in business and financial management of large companies in Australia and overseas,” he said.

Hounsell, who is also currently the director of Dulux Group Limited, Spotless Group Holdings Limited and Integral Diagnostics Limited, has also held previous roles that include chair of PanAust Limited, director of Qantas Airways Limited, senior partner of Ernst & Young, chief executive officer and country managing partner of Arthur Andersen, board member of Freehills, as well as deputy chairman of the board at Mitchell Communication Group Limited.

“I am thrilled to be joining the board of Helloworld Limited and I look forward to working with Andrew and the board to continue the growth and development the company has undertaken recently and build on this solid platform for the future,” Hounsell said.

Hounsell is also a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and Chartered Accountants in Australia and New Zealand.

Rob Marcolina took on the role of chairman since the merger of Helloworld Limited and the AOT Group in February this year. Marcolina also welcomed Hounsell’s appointment and will resume his non-executive director role.

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