Seven Group defensive on gender criticism

KERRY Stokes’ Seven Group says it is committed to appointing a female director amid recent criticism of its male-only board.

Seven’s sole female board director Dulcie Boling retired last year.

Former chief executive Don Voelte has recently departed the board, and a Seven Group spokesman confirmed the board would appoint a female board member as part of the succession process.

“Our board recognises the benefits of a board comprising directors with a broad range of skills, experience and perspectives,” the spokesman said.

The Australian Council of Superannuation Investors has put Seven Group, the owner of the WesTrac mining services businesses, and a swag of resource companies on notice over their lack of women directors.