Our weekly appointments wrap includes Holly Knight, Seamus Rafferty, Reece Wheadon, Jacob Whiteford, Jenelle Goddard, Adam Simpson, Owen Whittle, David Flanagan and Jimmy Wilson.
Holly Knight has joined engineering consultancy Arup as energy water and resources lead WA, a role in which she would work with clients to meet net zero commitments. Ms Knight has more than two decades of engineering and sustainability experience, including her recent job at Fortescue as group manager global environment and sustainability. She started at Fortescue in mid-2022 after more than a year as GHD technical director sustainability. Ms Knight has additionally worked at Edge Environment, Rottnest Island Authority, and Murdoch University.
The state government has appointed Seamus Rafferty as a judge of the District Court of Western Australia, commencing November 4. Mr Rafferty has more than 20 years of experience as a trial advocate and appeal counsel in criminal law. He joined the District Court in November 2023 as senior counsel after serving as an independent barrister at Geoffrey Miller Chambers for nine months. Before this, Mr Rafferty led a private legal firm for more than 13 years.
Fremantle-based hospitality group Triple-1-Three has revealed several new additions to its team, including Nowhereman Brewing Co founder Reece Wheadon’s appointment as head of brand experience. Nowhereman was acquired by Triple-1-Three in September 2023, in a deal that re-branded the West Leederville venue as Otherside Brewing Co. Mr Wheadon established his brewery in 2016 after more than six years working at Curtin University’s Student Guild as member benefits manager. He also volunteered as WA Beer Week Event director six years in a row until 2015. Former Freo.Social venue manager Jacob Whiteford has transitioned into the role of Triple-1-Three group venues manager, while Jenelle Goddard was selected as chief finance officer and company secretary, after working with Triple-1-Three as a contracted accounting specialist since February. The Triple-1-Three portfolio is comprised of Otherside Brewing Co, Otherside Brewhouse in Myaree, Otherside Brew Lounge at Perth Airport’s Terminal 2, and Fremantle’s Freo.Social and Mojo’s.
Adam Simpson has joined salary packaging solutions provider Paywise as a brand ambassador. For three decades, Mr Simpson led a career in AFL, notably serving as the West Coast Eagles senior coach for ten years until 2024, ending his tenure with a 122-119 winning record at the club, which equates to a winning record of 50.6 per cent. This includes two grand final appearances, with a premiership in 2018. Mr Simpson also operates four Hungry Jack's franchises and has developed his skillset as a strategic consultant.
UnionsWA secretary Owen Whittle has taken up the role as West Australian Music chief executive after 12 years with the state's peak trades and labour council. In his new position, Mr Whittle would oversee the next stage of WAM’s strategic growth after it secured $500,000 in state government funding in July to build capacity and provide large-scale impact across the music sector. Mr Whittle joined UnionsWA in 2012 as assistant secretary and elevated to state secretary in 2020. Prior to this, he was the communications and campaigns officer for the Australian Manufacturing Workers Union’s local jobs campaign. Mr Whittle has nearly two decades’ of state government experience from previously serving on the Department of Jobs, Tourism, Science and Innovation’s LNG Jobs Taskforce, WorkCover WA’s Audit and Risk Management Committee, and Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety’s Work Health and Safety Commission.
High profile mining players David Flanagan and Jimmy Wilson have become part of a new team advising Viburnum on its new private equity fund, backed to the tune of $20 million by the DFD Rhodes family office. Mr Flanagan, the former Atlas Iron boss who has recently headed lithium plays and is now managing director of broad ranging WA explorer Arrow Minerals, and Mr Wilson, formerly head of BHP Iron Ore, have been named as private advisory partners along with indigenous leader Kate George, who sits on the Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility board, and Minnovare co-founder Callum McCracken.
