Beckett to chair Perth Airport

Perth Airport chairman David Crawford will retire in three months after 15 years at the helm, leaving the role to be filled by former head of Chevron Australia's Gorgon gas project, Colin Beckett.

Mr Beckett will be appointed to the airport’s board in January next year and will take on the role of chairman when Mr Crawford leaves in March.

Board member Richard Hoskins said Mr Crawford demonstrated great leadership during a dynamic period for the company.

“In 2000 when David joined the board, few than five million passengers used Perth Airport and, last year, that number had increased to over 14 million,” he said.

Meanwhile, Mr Beckett will bring his experience in the oil and gas industry and in executive management positions to the Perth Airport board.

Prior to his role at Chevron, Mr Beckett was involved in the commercialisation and development of major oil and gas projects and operations in Australia and Papua New Guinea, including with Mobil Australia.

Mr Beckett resigned from Chevron in October, and has since taken up an independent director role at Beach Energy.

In 2013 he was appointed chancellor of Curtin University.

He has previously served on the board of the Australian Petroleum, Production & Exploration Association and the WA Technology and Industry Advisory Council.