Westpac Banking Corporation, the Australian bank, has added a new director to its board.

Starting 1 February 2013, Ewen Crouch joins the company as an independent non-executive director. Crouch was most recently the chairman of partners at Allens, an Australian law firm. He is known for his work in some of the most significant merger and acquisition transactions in the country over the past years. 

"His expertise and experience on a diverse range of market transactions will add to the current skill set of the Westpac board," said Lindsay Maxsted, chairman of Westpac.

Before he was chairman of partners at Allens, Crouch was co-head of M&A and equity capital markets at the company. During this time, he was responsible for the China and South East Asia practices at the firm. He steps down as partner in 31 January 2013.