Westpac human resources chief to retire

Westpac group executive for people, Ilana Atlas, has announced she will retire from the bank in December 2009.

Atlas joined Westpac in 2000 as group secretary and general counsel and was appointed group executive, people & performance in 2003. She was responsible for all human resources strategy and management including reward and recognition, learning and development, careers and talent, employee relations and employment policy.

She was also responsible for stakeholder relations including internal and external communications and Westpac's strategy in relation to corporate responsibility and sustainability.

Westpac chief executive Gail Kelly said an internal and external search would begin soon to find a replacement for Atlas.

Prior to joining Westpac, Atlas was a partner at Mallesons Stephen Jaques. She practised as a corporate lawyer and held a number of managerial roles in the firm including managing partner and executive partner, people & information.