Mark Beyer

Venture Capital firm Foundation Capital has confirmed it is conducting a major strategic review that is likely to result in a merger with a larger firm.

Western Australia has 27 members and senators in the federal parliament, and while some are very good at generating headlines, there is a group of five who are clearly the most influential.

The two most influential public servants in Western Australia, newly appointed Under Treasurer Tim Marney and Acting Director General of Health Neale Fong, are both far removed from the traditional image of career bureaucrats.

John Langoulant has undergone a big change over the past year, moving from his role as under treasurer to become chief executive of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of WA.

The lean state of the Liberal Party in Western Australia following its February election loss is reflected in the small group of people wielding influence in the party.

This year’s list of influential executives in the resource sector has two defining characteristics – it’s a long list and it’s dominated increasingly by multinational companies.

If money equals power and influence, then Perth’s prominent private business owners must rank as some of the state’s most influential people.

This time last year, Rugby WA chairman Geoff Stooke and cricket legend Dennis Lillee were not regarded as major players in the running of sport in Western Australia; but that changed with a vengeance late last year.

The editor of Western Australia’s only daily newspaper, The West Australian, heads the list of opinion leaders in the state.