There’s been a significant shuffling of personal in the Western Australian ports sector during the end days of December 2022.
New CEO for the Pilbara Ports Authority
First-up: Samuel McSkimming has been appointed as the new CEO of the Pilbara Ports Authority. He will take over from the current incumbent, Roger Johnston, whose term expires on 30 June 2023.
Mr McSkimming is currently Aurizon’s General Manager New South Wales and Southeast Queensland.
WA’s Minister for Transport, Planning and Ports, Rita Saffioti, congratulated Mr McSkimming on his appointment and commented: “the Pilbara Ports Authority play an integral role to the State, national and global economies and Mr McSkimming brings considerable experience to the role, with more than a decade at Aurizon. There is a significant amount of work to be delivered at our Pilbara ports, as we look to expand and diversify our exports, and I look forward to working closely with Mr McSkimming as we deliver a number of important projects”.
Ms Saffioti also thanked Mr Johnston for his ten years of service and for his leadership in guiding the Pilbara Ports Authority through the COVID pandemic. “Roger’s leadership and strategic thinking has been integral to the growth of our Pilbara ports, and I wish him all the best for the future,” she commented.
New board member at the Southern Ports Authority
Former Federal MP and government minister, Ben Morton, has been appointed to the board of the Southern Ports Authority, effective 1 January 2023, for an initial two-year term. Ms Saffioti welcomed Mr Morton to the board, commenting, “Ben brings a lot of experience to the role and will provide strong leadership on the board.”
Mr Morton formerly held the electorate of Tangney from 2016 to 2022. He is a former adviser to the Federal Government from 2004 to 2007, and also a former director of the Liberal Party in WA. He has served on several committees including the Appropriations and Administration Committee. He was a former Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister & Cabinet; an Assistant Minister to the Minister for the Public Service; an Assistant Minister for Electoral Matters; the Minister for the Public Service and, latterly, a Special Minister of State.
New chair at the Fremantle Port Authority
Chris Sutherland has been appointed as the new chair of the Fremantle Port Authority, effective 1 January 2023, for an initial two-year term. He was formerly the managing director and group CEO of the services firm, “Programmed”. He was formerly a director of the Southern Ports Authority.
“I would like to congratulate Chris on his appointment as Chair of the Fremantle Port Authority. Chris has held numerous executive and non-executive leadership positions, and brings strong business acumen to the role… I look forward to working closely with Chris as we embark on significant and transformational projects like Westport and Future of Fremantle. I’d also like to thank Ross Love for his three years as Chair of the Fremantle Port Authority. Ross has provided excellent leadership in the role, and I wish him well for the future,” Ms Saffioti commented.
