Sims board director to retire

Australia-based metals and electronics recycling company Sims Ltd. has announced that Heather Ridout will retire from its board of directors this year. Resulting changes to the board of directors, board committees and their structure will be determined at a later date, says the firm. In late December, Ridout was appointed as Australia’s next consul-general in New York.

“On behalf of the board of directors, I would like to thank Heather for her outstanding service to the Sims Ltd. board, our employees and our shareholders,” says Geoffrey Brunsdon, board chair and independent nonexecutive director of Sims. “Heather’s leadership, guidance and wisdom throughout her 11 years of service have been a major factor in the company successfully navigating a demanding international growth strategy, as well as significant change. Both the board of directors and the executive leadership team will miss Heather’s counsel, and we wish her every success in her new role.”

Ridout, a former chief executive of the Australian Industry Group from 2004 through 2012, joined the Sims board in September 2011. She serves as chair of the board’s Remuneration Committee and is a member of the Safety, Health, Environment, Community and Sustainability Committee; the Risk Committee; and the Nomination/Governance Committee.

“Sims Ltd. is a company I have known and admired for more than 25 years, and I was delighted for it to be a member of Australian Industry Group,” Ridout says. “I look back on my tenure at Sims Ltd. with great pride in serving as a non-executive director. I am extremely confident the company will continue to grow, prosper and positively impact society.”

The precise date of Ridout’s retirement will be determined by the commencement date for her new role in New York, according to Sims.