Navitas chairman wins AICD award

Chairman of education provider Navitas, Harvey Collins, has joined the ranks of some of the top business leaders in WA by winning the Australian Institute of Company Directors gold medal award for WA.

The award’s alumni include Woodside Petroleum and National Australia Bank chairman Michael Chaney, Seven Group Holdings chairman Kerry Stokes and Rio Tinto chief executive Sam Walsh.

Former Wesfarmers chairman Trevor Eastwood and chair of John Holland’s advisory board Janet Holmes a Court have also been recipients of the award.

The award, now in its tenth year, identifies an individual’s contribution to the economic progress of the state and to the highest standards of corporate governance.

Recipients are also recognised for their services to the community and involvement in not-for-profit organisations.

Former Clough managing director and chairman Harold Clough was the recipient of the first gold medal award in 1994.

The Institute also named Rocky Bay board member Rob Gray the recipient of the second annual PwC Director Award for Excellence in the Western Australian Not-for-Profit Sector.

Mr Collins joined Navitas as a non-executive director in 2004 and was appointed chairman in 2006.

He has been chairman of not-for-profit human rights assistance organisation Hagar International for almost 10 years, and has previously held the roles of chairman of Bankwest and deputy chairman of Verve Energy.

He held senior management roles at WA regional bank Challenge Bank for more than 10 years, including 5 years as chief financial officer.

Mr Collins was recently appointed to the ASIC directors advisory panel.

Navitas announced in August a 10-year agreement with Florida Atlantic University for a pathway program for International students, to begin from January next year.

The announcement came a month after Macquarie University announced it would end its partnership with Navitas from 2016.

The Perth-based ASX 100 company has more than 110 colleges and campuses internationally.

Navitas shares were up 19 per cent at the close of trade today, closing at $5.28.