How old is too old to be a board chair, or the CEO of a company?

Veteran Australian businessman Kevin Seymour is making headlines today for saying companies should avoid appointing chief executives and chairmen who are aged over 60.

He says it's an energy issue, that over 60s are starting to lose track of the latest trends and the latest entrepreneurial skills.

Seymour, who is 79 himself, goes on to say that he doesn't think CEOs beyond 60 years of age would be of any great value to a company.

Professional director Joan Withers told Andrew Dickens that age doesn't matter.

She says the only requirement is to be mentally fit and intellectually curious

"I don't think people under 60 have sole rights to those attributes." 

Withers says that people in their 60s can still be fit and keep up with recent trends.