Ferguson joins UWA's resources institute

Former federal resources minister Martin Ferguson has joined the board of trustees of the University of Western Australia's Energy and Minerals Institute.

Mr Ferguson has been appointed to the board after retiring from politics at the September 7 federal election.

It follows Mr Ferguson taking up a job with media and industrial services company Seven Group, as an executive in their natural resources sector.

Mr Ferguson has also recently been appointed to chair the Australian Petroleum Production & Exploration Association's advisory board.

UWA vice-chancellor Paul Johnson said Mr Ferguson's experience would be invaluable.

"It is a privilege to have Martin Ferguson share his many years of parliamentary expertise with our Board," Professor Johnson said.

The board has also beefed up its local industry presence with the appointment of Rio Tinto Iron Ore chief executive Andrew Harding, Shell Australia general manager of development (Australia/New Zealand) Terry Freckelton and BHP Billiton head of group project management Phil Montgomery.

They replace the departing former Shell Australia chairman Ann Pickard, Rio Tinto head of productivity improvement Greg Lilleyman and former BHP BIlliton executive Glenn Kellow. 

The board's other existing members include UWA vice-chancellor Paul Johnson, EMI director Tim Shanahan, former diplomat Richard Smith and the CSIRO's Alex Wonhas.

UWA's Energy and Minerals Institute promotes industry research for WA's $100 billion resources sector.