Sydney - Nomura has announced the appointment of Michael Ullmer as the third member of the Nomura Australia Advisory Board. He joins the existing members Mr. James Strong and Mr. Rob Thomas, who were appointed in May 2010 to the then newly formed Advisory Board.

Peter Meurer, Chairman of Investment Banking at Nomura Australia, who has responsibility for establishing the Advisory Board, said, "We are honoured that Michael has joined the Nomura Australia Advisory Board to help drive the firm's strategy in Australia."

"We think it is very significant that someone of Michael's stature in the market has joined the Nomura Australia Advisory Board, and clearly signals the importance of the Asian proposition to Australia's business interests," he added.

Mr. Ullmer was most recently the National Australia Bank Group's Deputy Group CEO, until he stepped down in August 2011, prior to which he was their Group Finance Director. He was previously with the Commonwealth Bank of Australia for seven years from 1997 where he was the Group Executive responsible for Institutional and Business Banking. Before that he was their Group Chief Financial Officer.

Mr. Hiroyuki Nishikawa, CEO for Nomura Australia, said, "We believe that Michael's decision to join Nomura's Australia Advisory Board is an important endorsement of our long-term commitment to this strategic market. His extensive commercial banking background will complement the corporate sector and stock broking industry heavyweight incumbents James Strong and Rob Thomas, and his presence in Melbourne will further improve our connectivity in that key local market."

Commenting on his decision to join the Nomura Australia Advisory Board, Mr. Ullmer said, "I am delighted to be joining such a strong team which has demonstrated a long-term commitment to becoming Asia's global investment bank. They have clear growth plans for the Australian market and provide outstanding connectivity to the Asian region and globally."