Leading Queensland Company Director Retires
Mr Frank Haly AO, one of Queensland's leading business figures, has decided to retire from public commercial appointments and will step down as a director of Suncorp Metway on January 31.
Mr Haly, 68, is a former Chairman of Metway Bank and steered the company through the complicated negotiations leading to its merger with Suncorp and QIDC in 1996.
He has played a leading role in the corporate sector in Queensland for many decades and served as Chairman of the Queensland Government's WorkCover Authority during 1997 and 1998.
A chartered accountant by profession, Mr Haly practiced for many years in Townsville and Brisbane and has served as a director on a number of major companies. In recent years he has acted as a consultant to the Queensland office of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu. He has twice been honoured in the Queen's awards, receiving an AM in 1984 and an AO in 1996. He received the Australian Institute of Company Directors Gold Medal in 1998 in recognition of his services to Queensland's business community and an Honorary Doctorate from QUT in 1999.
Suncorp Metway chairman John Lamble paid tribute to Mr Haly, whom he described as one of Australia's most astute company directors.
"Frank has made a tremendous contribution to the Suncorp Metway group since he first joined the board of Metway's predecessor, the Metropolitan Permanent Building Society, in 1981.
"Members of that building society who received shares in Metway at $1 in 1988 have seen the price increase to more than $14 today. Frank Haly should be recognised as playing a central part in that share price appreciation.
"His role in the creation of Suncorp Metway demonstrated his visionary approach to business. He recognised the potential benefits from the merger and drove the deal to completion.
"In recent years he has made a major contribution to the continuity of the organisation as we have completed the integration of Suncorp, Metway and QIDC.
"His wise advice, detailed knowledge of financial services and extensive business connections have been invaluable and I wish him well for the future," said Mr Lamble.
21 January 2002
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