Botha takes position on centre stage at Westfield

The juxtaposition of a high-powered career woman and a shopping centre may at first appear ill conceived. But shopping’s not the reason Ellen Botha spends most of her days at Westfield Whitford City.

Instead, Ms Botha works for shopping centre giant Westfield Limited.

She is currently the senior centre manager for Westfield in Western Australia, the manager for Westfield Whitford City, a director of Westfield Shoppingtown Carousel Pty Ltd and is the Licensee for Westfield in WA.

Ms Botha joined the property retail sector in 1991 after emigrating from South Africa, and became part of the Westfield Group after it acquired Innaloo Shopping Centre and The Galleria Shopping Centre from the Coles Myer Group.

In 2001 Ms Botha was appointed as centre manager of the largest shopping centre in WA, Westfield Carousel, and has worked her way up through the ranks from there.

The Westfield Group owns 130 shopping centres in four countries, with a total value or more than $A44.5 billion.

It has more than 10 million square metres of retail space, and is the largest Australian property group listed on the ASX and the world’s largest retail property group by equity market capitalisation.

Ms Botha is also involved in industry advocacy group, the Property Council of Australia WA, is the only female member of the divisional council, and is the chair for the property council’s retail committee.

 “We have ongoing challenges in the property sector, in particular our state taxation review, state infrastructure strategy and trading hours,” Ms Botha said.

“[There are] very many successful women in WA sitting on various boards and we will see more females as board members in WA, in particular at the upper end of business in the future.”

She said finding a good company to work for was an integral part of a successful career.

“Identify a company that outperforms its competitors in attracting and developing employees, welcomes a diversity of people, clearly communicates expectations, creates an environment that motivates and allows employees to develop and a company that displays honesty, just and fair management by providing a safe and healthy environment in which to work,” she said.

“Career and professional development is an ongoing process of aligning your individual development plans with your organisation.”

She also emphasised the importance of mentors in career development.

“If you are serious about your career then it is important to have a mentor. Mentors are always honored to be involved with your career and they can assist and guide you with your development,” Ms Botha said.

And it was important to always adhere to high personal standards of behaviour and business ethics, she said.

•           Senior centre manager for Westfield in Western Australia, the manager for Westfield Whitford City, a director of Westfield Shoppingtown Carousel Pty Ltd and is the Licensee for Westfield in WA.

•           Involved in the Property Council of Australia WA.