On the move

Guthrie to take the helm at Toro

Vanessa Guthrie will take over from Greg Hall as managing director of uranium developer Toro Energy next February, when Mr Hall will take up managing directorship of copper explorer Hillgrove Resources. Ms Guthrie joined Toro in July 2011 and is currently executive general manager - Wiluna project. She has extensive senior management experience, including as vice-president of sustainable development for Woodside Energy, sustainability manager for Alcoa World Alumina Australia, and CEO of the Wellard Group. Mr Hall has headed Toro since its inception seven years ago and will remain a non-executive director on the board.

UWA appoints White Shell EMI chair

University of Western Australia oceans engineer David White has been appointed as the new Shell Energy and Minerals Institute professorial chair in offshore engineering, from January 2013. Professor White was named WA’s Early Career Scientist of the Year in 2011, and joined UWA’s Centre for Offshore Foundation Systems in 2006. As the Shell EMI chair, he will lead an enhanced research and education program focused on offshore engineering.

Top bureaucrat sacked for travel bill

WA Planning Commission chairman Gary Prattley has been dismissed for misusing his government credit card, after spending hundreds of thousands of dollars on travel over 28 months. Mr Prattley was sent on leave after the state opposition alleged he had spent $260,000 on interstate and international travel between April 2009 and August this year.

It was revealed in parliament last week that Mr Prattley had been sacked last Tuesday.