Leadership WA open for business

A NON-PROFIT think tank aimed at developing the leadership skills of above average achievers with 10 to 15 years’ work experience has been launched in Western Australia.

Called Leadership WA, the organisation draws on the professional expertise of its fellows – those who have completed its program – to assist not-for-profit organisations in the State.

Entry to its program is expected to be competitive and it costs participants $2,500.

Leadership WA CEO Ian Reed said the program aimed to gain as broad a cross section of the community as possible, drawing its candidates from private, public and non-government organisations.

"This program tries to get people who have been identified as having high potential and get them to stand back from their drive towards their personal goals and consider some of the larger issues facing the WA community," he said.

"We’re trying to develop a civic conscience but one that is based on information rather than ideology."

The Leadership WA program runs for one year. Even after completing the program, participants can be called upon to help not-for-profit organisations as the need arises.

Applications for the program close on October 31 and can be accessed at www.leadershipwa.org.au or by phoning 9449 6630.

Matching its broad-based approach, Leadership WA’s board membership is similarly diverse.

From the private sector the representatives are Janet Holmes a Court, Hamersley Iron managing director Dave Smith, and SKG Radiology CEO Ian Anderson.

From the Government sector there is Environmental Protection Authority executive chairman Wally Cox (who is also Leadership WA’s chairman), Police Commissioner Barry Matthews, Public Standards Commissioner Maxine Murray and WA Local Government Authority CEO Ricky Burgess.

The board is rounded out by former politician turned Midland Redevelopment Authority chairman Ian Laurance and Legislative Assembly member Carole Martin acts as a special adviser.

The Rio Tinto WA Future Fund has become the founding partner of Leadership WA and BankWest is contributing office space.

Various accounting and legal firms have provided pro bono assistance to the organisation.

Next week WA Business News will launch a Not-for-profit section in For the Record.

For more information phone Noel Dyson on 9288 2124. Any information can be forwarded via email to noel@wabusinessnews.com.au