Mixing business and philanthropy

Tony Howarth is one of Western Australia’s most highly regarded company directors, yet he is becoming as well known for his philanthropic activities as his commercial achievements.

He leads a group of prominent Perth business people who have managed to move beyond a single-minded focus on their careers.

People like Tony Howarth, Janet Holmes a Court and Sam Walsh have made a conscious decision to get involved with and support a range of not-for-profit organisations that are seeking to deliver benefits to the community at large.

Their activities illustrate the way in which progressive businesses adopt a very broad interpretation of their role in society.

A prime example is Rio Tinto, one of the biggest and most profitable businesses operating in WA.

Its WA Future Fund supports a wide range of philanthropic causes and, importantly, it has backing from the most senior levels in the business.

The fund is chaired by Mr Walsh, who is chief executive of Rio’s global iron ore business, making him Rio’s top man in WA and one of its top people globally.

The fund’s board includes three other senior Rio executives and four eminent people from outside the company – Mr Howarth, Mrs Holmes a Court, Fremantle Ports chief executive Kerry Sanderson, and former federal government minister Fred Chaney.

Messrs Howarth and Walsh also serve together on the Committee for Perth, along with Freehills partner John Atkins. who was instrumental in its establishment.

The committee is still defining its role but its mandate is to inject vitality and liveliness into Perth, to make the city an even better place so it is more attractive to workers – local and expatriates – who can choose where they work and live.

As such, the not-for-profit committee is seeking to deliver some real commercial benefits to businesses in WA that are competing with global centres such as Sydney, London and Houston for talented workers.

Other members of the committee include Ernst & Young partner Gary Smith, who was also involved in its establishment, restaurateur Kate Lamont, BHP Billiton’s vice-president government affairs Ian Fletcher, and Alcoa community relations manager Kathryn Sydney-Smith.

Mr Howarth told WA Business News the committee was finalising its plans and was keen to make a real difference.

“We can’t be just another voice,” he said. “We need to do some specific things.”

A new role for Mr Howarth this year was foundation chairman of the Force 15 Foundation, which has been established to raise money for the grassroots development of rugby union in WA.

This adds to his keen interest in the sport, illustrated by his role as patron of the Cottesloe Rugby Club.

Ms Sydney-Smith was previously chief executive of the WA Community Foundation, another not-for-profit organisation that has attracted support from the business community.

Its chairman is prominent accountant Frank Cooper – whose past roles have included a long stint as chairman of the WA Opera – and its directors include Mr Howarth and health supremo Neale Fong.

The WA Community Foundation was established four years ago to promote and facilitate individuals and businesses wanting to establish endowments that deliver sustainable long-term community benefits.

It also works with communities to help them attract and build donated funds, and recently reached its first $1 million in funds under management.

Chamber of Commerce and Industry of WA chief executive John Langoulant is another prominent person who finds time to serve on a range of boards and advisory committees.

Best known for chairing the major stadia taskforce, which recently handed its report to the state government, Mr Langoulant’s many other roles include being a director of the Telethon Institute for Child Health Research and the WA Ballet.

At the ballet, his fellow directors include corporate lawyer Ian Cochrane, former BHP Billiton executive Bret Mattes, and lawyer Patti Chong.

The business world’s interest in the arts world is reflected in the membership of the Australian Business Arts Foundation.

Its board includes Alcoa Australia’s Perth-based managing director Wayne Osborn, and its WA councillors include Mrs Holmes a Court, Wesfarmers chief executive Richard Goyder, HBF boss Rob Bransby, and Pilbara Iron managing director Dave Smith.

Also on the board are three prominent property and construction executives – Mirvac executive director Adrian Fini, Hawaiian Group managing director Russell Gibbs, and Pivot Group chairman Peter Laurance.