The Chairman welcomed both appointments.
Mr Robb is a highly qualified and experienced banker having occupied several senior
Executive positions including project finance and complex strategic transactions with the ANZ Banking Group Limited and Bank of America.
He has a great depth of experience in financial analysis, having been involved in analysing and considering finance for a very wide range of businesses over a long period during his banking career.
As Head of Bank of America in Melbourne, he led resource financings with BHP, CRA, Elders Resources, Bougainville Copper and Ok Tedi. He holds an MBA from the International Management Institute Geneva and Macquarie University and will bring his deep banking experience to the Board.
Mr Robb has travelled extensively in emerging markets and he has walked the Kokoda Track. He has received the Medal of the Order of Australia for his services to mountaineering and charity services.
Ms Freda Talao is from Siassi Island, Morobe Province.
A lawyer by profession, Ms Talao holds a Law Degree from University of Papua New Guinea, a Master's Degree from Bond University, Queensland and is currently undertaking Doctoral Studies at TC Beirne School of Law, University of Queensland.
Ms Talao has extensive work experience in the government, private, NGO and development sectors in PNG. She also chaired in a voluntary capacity, a Human Rights NGO 'Individual and Community Rights Advocacy Forum' (ICRAF) for over 7 years whilst working for AusAID. In her capacity as Chair of ICRAF, she has represented PNG both locally and internationally on diverse human rights issues.
Ms Talao has previously been on several Boards including the Mama Graun Conservation Trust Fund, Liklik Dinau Trust Fund, ICRAF, Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), is currently on the National Airports Corporation Board (NAC) and is Chair for the newly established Airports City Development Limited (ACDL).
Ms Talao is also currently a member of the External Stakeholders Advisory Panel (ESAP) to the Morobe Mining Joint Venture (MMJV) which owns the Hidden Valley Gold Mine in Morobe Province.
The Bank of Papua New Guinea has confirmed the appointments of Ms Talao and Mr Robb under its Prudential Standards covering Fit & Proper Persons.
Directors welcome these appointments, which bring an excellent mix of skills and experience to the Board of BSP.
Directors particularly welcome the first female Member of the Board since the amalgamation of the Company in 2002. The Directors are confident both new Board members will contribute strongly to the overall strategy and performance of the BSP Group.
Kostas Constantinou, OBE
Chairman
Port Moresby
20 April 2012
