Adelaide business identity Anne Skipper AM has been appointed as the new Chair of the Australian division of international children’s development agency Plan.

Anne Skipper is well known in Adelaide business circles for her dedication to helping others, especially children and has been a Plan Australia board member since 2003.

“As a mother of two children who are now in their twenties I am honored to take up this role and help children and young people in developing communities escape poverty and reach their potential”, said Anne

“I’m looking forward to the opportunity to help Plan grow and have a greater impact on the lives of children,” she said.

Ms Skipper, who was Plan’s Deputy Chair and was awarded an Australian Medal in the Order of Australia Awards (2000) for her service to children and adults with disabilities, took up her new duties as Chair in November 2006.

She replaces leading Australian businesswoman Wendy McCarthy AO who has held the position of chair for eight years. Ms McCarthy continues as a board director and as Plan in Australia’s representative at the Plan International Members’ Assembly.

Ian Wishart, national executive director of Plan Australia says Ms Skipper has exceptional skills that will continue to help Plan in its work to combat child poverty.

“Australians presently sponsor more than 40,000 children in 45 developing countries in Africa, Asia and South/Central America. For every child sponsored up to 100 people in that child’s community benefits from programs such as health, education, clean water and sanitation.

“But this vital work could not be done without the support of everyday Australians and the ongoing hard work and dedication of our staff and our board members lead by the Chair,” Mr Wishart says.

Anne Skipper is the Deputy Chair South Australian Tourism Commission; and Director Savings and Loans Credit Union. She has a Diploma in Nursing and is a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.