Janet Holmes à Court, AC, HFAIB (born Janet Lee Ranford on 29 November 1943 in Perth, Western Australia) is an Australian businesswoman, and one of Australia's wealthiest women. She is the Chairman of one of Australia's largest private companies, Heytesbury Pty Ltd, having turned around its fortunes after the death of her husband Robert Holmes à Court in 1990. She retained full ownership of the Heytesbury Group of companies until 2008 when her son, Paul Holmes à Court, assumed ownership, while she remained Chairman.
She attended the University of Western Australia, majoring in organic chemistry. After graduation, she worked as a science teacher before marrying Holmes à Court in 1966 and having four children with him.
She currently lives in Perth. As her children left home, she developed interests in medical research, the arts and various charitable organizations.
After the death of her husband, she took over management of Heytesbury Pty Ltd, which was considerably in debt, rescuing and expanding it. The company operates cattle stations in remote Western Australia and has interests in vineyards, wine-making and engineering contracting.
As well as her business activities, Holmes à Court has been an active participant in progressive social issues, such as an advocate for the Australian Republican Movement at the 1998 constitutional convention,[1] and is the chairperson of the Australian Children's Television Foundation and the West Australian Symphony Orchestra. She has also served on the board of the Reserve Bank of Australia and is an Honorary Fellow of the Australian Institute of Building.
She was made an Officer in the Order of Australia (AO), in 1995 and promoted to a Companion of the Order (AC) on Australia Day 2007. The National Trust of Australia has included her on its list of 100 Australian Living Treasures.
Edgar, Patricia (1999). Janet Holmes à Court. Australia. Harper Collins. ISBN 0-7322-5715-8The official biography