Western Power appoints new CEO

Guy Chalkley will stay on as chief executive of state-owned utility Western Power, with his appointment made official today.

Mr Chalkley has been serving in an acting CEO role since April, succeeding Paul Italiano, who stepped down from the role in March.

Western Power chairman Colin Beckett said Mr Chalkley stood out as the most qualified candidate to lead the utility into the future, following an extensive recruitment process.

“Mr Chalkley’s leadership along with his international and local experience, detailed knowledge of the Western Power business and personal drive clearly demonstrated to us he is the right person to lead the company going forward,” he said.

Mr Chalkley started working at Western Power in 2011 as operations commercial manager, before progressing to the role of head of business planning and reporting.

He was most recently chief financial officer of the utility, before taking on the acting CEO role.

Commenting on his appointment, Mr Chalkley said it was a great honour to lead one of Western Australia’s major companies during a period of significant change.

“Like many other utilities around the country, we face the challenge of doing more with less,” he said.

“I have every confidence that our team here at Western Power will rise to the challenges ahead, and find ways to continue to improve customer affordability.

“Our drive to become a top-tier electricity business will always be based on engaging with our customers to provide safe, reliable and affordable electricity – that is sustainable into the future.”