She officially assumes the role of global independent non-executive on November 1
Sue Kench, the former global chief executive of international firm King & Wood Mallesons, has joined the EY Global Governance Council as a global independent non-executive (INE).
She assumes the role on November 1. As a council member, she will guide EY’s global executive on policies, strategies and the public interest aspects of its decision-making, according to EY.
Kench will work alongside incumbent EY INEs Tonia Lovell and Duane M. DesParte, who operate from Europe and the US, respectively.
“Effective governance, transparency, accountability and ethical decision-making are cornerstones for the EY business. Sue’s experience and integrity will complement the significant contribution of our incumbent INEs and greatly benefit the organization globally,” said Janet Truncale, EY global chair and CEO, in a statement.
Kench led King & Wood Mallesons as global chief executive from June 2017 to December 2024. She also helmed its Australia office as chief executive partner from January 2016 to May 2017.
King & Wood Mallesons said in a LinkedIn post that Kench was the first woman to lead a top-tier firm in Australia and the first woman to helm an international firm. She retired from the firm in June after a 32-year tenure, which also involved practising with the real estate, construction, and environmental law group as a partner from January 1996 until her retirement.
Her clients included institutions, developers, investors, and banking clients. In 1999, she was named the staff partner of King & Wood Mallesons’ property and construction team; in 2011 she became the real estate team’s sector leader. She was also appointed managing partner of the firm’s real estate, construction, and environmental law team in October 2012.
In 2018, Kench received the Financial Times’ Innovative Lawyers Award and was among the Top 100 Women of Influence chosen by the Australian Financial Review. At present, she is a director at Monocave Pty Ltd in Hong Kong.
At EY, INEs help the organization provide audit and multi-disciplinary services to support capital markets’ stability.
