Appointments March 8, 2024

Simon Taylor has been announced as the new Pilbara Development Commission chief executive, commencing March 18. Mr Taylor has experience across the public sector in WA, serving in senior executive roles including his most recent position as Department of Water and Environmental Regulation executive director. Mr Taylor’s other experience includes a stint as Department of Communities regional executive director for the Pilbara region and consultant for the private sector. Mr Taylor would be taking over at the Pilbara Development Commission from Terry Hill, who served as chief executive at the commission for the past eight years.

The Australian Remote Operations for Space and Earth (AROSE) has selected Sydney-based Deena Shiff as its new chair after the inaugural chair David Flanagan announced his retirement. Ms Shiff has experience in law and as an executive in the telecommunications industry. She currently serves as advisory board chair for the ARC Centre of Excellence on Automated Decision Making and Society, non-executive director for Pro Medicus, board member for Opera Australia, and board member for health organisation Gavi. Perth-based Mr Flanagan served as AROSE chair for four years and would continue to work with the consortium in an advisory role.

Aged care service provider MercyCare has appointed Patrick Walsh as board chair and Margaret (Margie) Tannock as deputy chair. Mr Walsh has more than two decades of experience in executive roles, including his most recent position as Craig Mostyn Group chief executive for nearly five years. Prior to this, Mr Walsh was managing director of a Brisbane-based consulting firm and before this, he was equipment manufacturer Allight managing director. Ms Tannock is an experienced lawyer with more than 30 years’ experience. She has operated her own practice ESG Legal since early 2021 and prior to that, she worked as a partner for global law firm Squire Patton Boggs for more than nine years.

Veteran company director John Mullen would replace Richard Goyder as Qantas Airways’ chairman. The national carrier revealed the long-awaited appointment four months after Mr Goyder announced he would stand down amid a turbulent time for Qantas’s reputation. Mr Mullen currently serves as chairman of pallet and container company Brambles and ASX-listed winemaker Treasury Wine Estates.

Experienced bureaucrat and policy adviser Tim Marney commenced as the state government's new Coordinator General, focused on reforming the environmental approvals process and expediting major projects. Mr Marney’s responsibilities include planning and coordinating state government initiatives to release industrial land and deliver infrastructure to help deliver new projects, particularly in the green energy sector.

Liberal Party of WA leader Libby Mettam appointed Agricultural Region MLC Steve Martin as her new deputy. Mr Martin filled the role vacated by Steve Thomas, who stood down over contact with disgraced former premier Brian Burke. Currently the party spokesperson for housing and forestry, Mr Martin will be the Liberals' leader in the Legislative Council.