L1 Group Limited Names Olivia Byron as Company Secretary Amid Jane Stewart's Role Shift

Olivia Byron's Extensive Legal and Corporate Governance Experience

Olivia Byron offers significant expertise in corporate legal affairs and company secretarial duties within prominent Australian listed companies. Before joining L1 Group Limited, she served as Chief Legal Officer and Company Secretary at Acusensus Limited (ASX:ACE), overseeing legal governance and compliance. Her tenure at Transurban Group (ASX:TCL), a leading transport infrastructure company, involved managing intricate corporate and regulatory challenges within their legal team. Ms Byron’s career began in mergers and acquisitions at Corrs Chambers Westgarth, where she gained foundational skills in corporate transactions and advisory services.

This career progression highlights Ms Byron's comprehensive knowledge of ASX compliance, governance frameworks, and legal mandates for listed entities. Her combined experience in law firms and in-house counsel roles equips her with a thorough understanding of best practices in company secretarial responsibilities and regulatory adherence, aligning well with L1 Group Limited’s governance requirements.

Jane Stewart's New Role as Executive Director and Group General Counsel

Jane Stewart, formerly Company Secretary, has stepped down from that role but continues contributing as an Executive Director and Group General Counsel at L1 Group Limited. This transition delineates the Company Secretary duties from broader legal counsel functions, enabling focused expertise in ASX compliance and company secretarial matters while preserving senior legal leadership continuity through Ms Stewart.

Ms Stewart's ongoing executive role reflects the company's recognition of her institutional knowledge and strategic legal input. This structure supports dedicated regulatory compliance management through the Company Secretary while maintaining oversight of wider legal strategy and risk management under Ms Stewart’s guidance.

Compliance with ASX Listing Rules and Company Secretary Duties

In line with ASX Listing Rule 3.16.1, L1 Group Limited’s appointment of Olivia Byron as Company Secretary fulfills mandatory disclosure and governance obligations. The appointment took effect immediately on 21 July 2026, ensuring seamless continuity following Ms Stewart's resignation.

Per ASX Listing Rule 12.6, the Company Secretary is responsible for communications with the ASX concerning listing rule matters, including notifications and formal announcements. Ms Byron’s designation confirms L1 Group Limited’s adherence to these regulatory requirements. The Board authorized the announcement, confirming compliance with governance protocols and confidence in Ms Byron’s qualifications.

Governance Enhancement Through Role Separation

The restructuring separating Jane Stewart’s Group General Counsel role from the Company Secretary position aligns with corporate governance best practices, emphasizing specialized focus on ASX compliance and company secretarial duties. By appointing Ms Byron, who has direct company secretarial experience at another ASX-listed firm, L1 Group Limited strengthens its governance framework with dedicated expertise.

Ms Stewart’s retention as Group General Counsel ensures ongoing legal leadership over broader strategic matters, while Ms Byron’s role concentrates on regulatory compliance and governance administration. This dual-role approach supports effective management of both technical company secretarial functions and overarching legal strategy.

L1 Group Limited’s Governance and Regulatory Framework

Headquartered at Level 45, 101 Collins Street, Melbourne, Victoria 3000, L1 Group Limited operates under ASX Listing Rules, requiring robust governance structures including qualified officers like a Company Secretary. The recent appointment demonstrates the company’s dedication to transparent governance and regulatory compliance, with disclosure made via ASX Market Announcements.

The governance framework encompasses the Board of Directors, Executive Directors, and senior management roles such as Company Secretary and Group General Counsel. Ms Byron’s appointment forms a vital part of this structure, ensuring legal compliance, risk management, and effective corporate administration. The Board’s authorization of this update confirms adherence to governance procedures.

Infrastructure Sector Legal Expertise from Transurban Group

Ms Byron’s experience at Transurban Group (ASX:TCL) exposed her to complex legal and governance issues within Australia’s major infrastructure and transport sector. Transurban’s management of toll roads and infrastructure assets involves intricate regulatory compliance, project oversight, and stakeholder engagement. Her tenure there provided valuable insight into multifaceted infrastructure legal environments.

This background equips Ms Byron with skills in managing regulatory and contractual complexities, potentially benefiting L1 Group Limited depending on its operational focus and any infrastructure-related activities.

Recent Company Secretary Role at Acusensus Limited

Prior to L1 Group Limited, Ms Byron was Chief Legal Officer and Company Secretary at Acusensus Limited (ASX:ACE), a company specializing in road safety enforcement technology. This role encompassed full legal and governance responsibilities, including ASX compliance and board support, mirroring her current duties.

This recent experience ensures Ms Byron brings up-to-date knowledge of ASX regulatory requirements and governance processes, reinforcing her suitability for L1 Group Limited’s Company Secretary and Head of Corporate Legal roles.

Foundational Legal Training and M&A Experience

Ms Byron’s early career at Corrs Chambers Westgarth involved mergers and acquisitions, corporate transactions, and commercial law, providing a strong legal foundation. This experience honed her skills in corporate structuring, due diligence, and regulatory advisory.

Transitioning from law firm practice to in-house counsel roles at ASX-listed companies reflects a career path focused on integrating legal expertise with corporate governance and strategic management.

Immediate Effectiveness and Governance Continuity

The appointment of Olivia Byron as Company Secretary was effective on 21 July 2026, coinciding with the public announcement. This ensured uninterrupted company secretarial functions following Jane Stewart’s resignation, maintaining full compliance with ASX requirements.

The simultaneous announcement via ASX Market Announcements and Board authorization demonstrate adherence to governance and disclosure standards. Prepared transition arrangements enabled Ms Byron to commence her role without operational disruption.

Investor Implications and Regulatory Impact

Investors monitoring L1 Group Limited’s governance may view the appointment as a positive reinforcement of regulatory compliance and leadership continuity. The separation of Company Secretary duties from general counsel responsibilities signals a strategic governance refinement rather than a broad leadership change.

Ms Stewart’s continued executive role ensures sustained senior legal oversight. Although the announcement does not elaborate on strategic impacts, appointing a Company Secretary with recent ASX-listed company experience may reassure investors regarding governance standards. No immediate share price effects were evident from the announcement.