Brambles Limited (BXB) announced the appointment of Dolph Westerbos as group president, CHEP Europe, Middle East & Africa (EMEA). The company said Mr Westerbos joins Brambles from Dell, for which he has been vice president, Solutions & Services for EMEA since 2008. Brambles said the appointment completes the company’s Executive Leadership Team and fills the vacancy created in CHEP EMEA when Tom Gorman became CEO of Brambles in November 2009. The company said Mr Westerbos would start at CHEP EMEA in mid-April.

Tower Australia Group Limited (TAL) said the Dai-ichi Mutual Life Insurance Company of Japan (Dai-ichi Life) has received APRA and FIRB approval to increase its interest in Tower for a 49.9% shareholding limit. The company said at the time of seeking regulatory approval to acquire the interests of Guinness Peat Group PLC (GPG) in Tower Australia, Dai-ichi Life requested approvals for a 33% shareholding limit.

Slater & Gordon Limited (SGH) announced that the Federal Court ruled in favour of the lead plaintiff, Graeme Peterson, in the Voixx Class action against pharmaceutical company Merck. The company said Merck has the right to appeal the judgement or they may decide to work towards a negotiated settlement that is satisfactory to clients and the Court. Slater & Gordon expects there to be no material impact on the company’s FY10 results. The company said its benchmark internal rate of return on the funds invested in major litigation actions is 25%.