Payne to exit StudyPerth

Phil Payne has announced his intention to step down as StudyPerth's chief executive in January.

Mr Payne, who joined StudyPerth in 2017, had previously spent 12 years with Murdoch University in various leadership positions, including director of external engagement and vice-president of educational partnerships.

Before that he spent three years as a business development manager at Peel Health Campus.

Mr Payne's tenure with StudyPerth coincided with significant growth in the number of international students in Western Australia, as well as a severe reduction following the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Speaking to Business News in July, Mr Payne said the organisation was about to launch an overseas marketing campaign, in collaboration with the state government, promoting enrolments in six priority markets.

Mr Payne sent an email earlier this afternoon saying he had met with chair Rod Jones to inform him of his decision to step down in 2022.

"I am confident that this extended notice period will allow the StudyPerth Board to manage a rigorous recruitment and selection process and a seamless transition," he said.

"I am proud of what the StudyPerth team have achieved over the past four years and believe that now is a good time for the organisation to transition to new leadership. 

"We have negotiated a new funding agreement with the WA government, have a healthy balance sheet, a clear set of objectives and programs to deliver on and most importantly, we have a strong, motivated and settled team in place.

"I am most proud of the way our team and our sector has worked to support WA international students, our members and stakeholders since the beginning of the pandemic and you can be reassured of my continued commitment to StudyPerth and the sector over the next five months.

"Moving forward, it is absolutely critical that StudyPerth remains an independent voice, pursuing our objective to advocate, represent and collaborate to advance the interests of international education in WA."