FORMER public servant Tim Marney has been appointed chair of the Bankwest Curtin Economics Centre (BCEC) advisory board.

Mr Marney succeeds business leader John Langoulant, who became BCEC advisory board chair in 2013. Mr Marney served as Under Treasurer for Western Australia from 2005 until his recent appointment as the State’s Mental Health Commissioner in early 2014. 

In his role as Under Treasurer, Mr Marney gained an in-depth understanding of the economic environment in Western Australia. He also held responsibility for the State Government’s procurement agency, led the Government’s Economic Audit and subsequent reform of non-government service delivery.

BCEC director Alan Duncan welcomed Mr Marney’s appointment as “a strong signal of the centre’s progress and commitment to evidence-informed, rigorous and objective research on the most important economic and social issues facing WA”.

“BCEC’s research influences thinking, shapes policy, and above all, makes a genuine difference to the lives of West Australians. And there is no doubt that Tim’s background and experience will be a great asset,” Professor Duncan said.

Over the past year, BCEC has enhanced its reputation through the release of reports on regional economic policy, income and wealth, housing affordability, workforce and skills, and poverty and disadvantage.

Mr Marney said he welcomed the opportunity to work with Prof. Duncan and members of the BCEC advisory board to shape the centre’s research and engagement agenda, and to deliver strong value to the tate’s policy, business and not-for-profit sectors and the WA community.

“No other economic research organisation in WA is engaged in the kind of work the BCEC produces and there is a compelling need and a huge appetite for high quality, credible research that supports effective policy making,” Mr Marney said.

“I am keenly aware of the power of research to highlight issues of concern, and offer solutions, and I am looking forward to being part of the next phase of the centre’s growth and development.”

BCEC is an independent economic and social research organisation which was established in 2012 in partnership with Bankwest. The centre is located within the Curtin Business School.

www.curtin.edu.au

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INDUSTRY superannuation fund Energy Super has appointed a new chairman, former deputy Mark Williamson, after long-serving director Bob Henricks announced he was stepping down from the role after almost two decades.

Mr Henricks will remain on the board of directors, with Mr Williamson as chairman and director Scott Wilson as the new deputy chair.

An Energy Super director for the past three years, Mr Williamson has served on the boards of a number of leading Australian companies, including Stanwell Corporation and CS Energy.  He is also a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

He has also held senior executive roles in the electricity, IT, telecommunications and airlines industries in Australia and overseas. 

“Energy Super’s reputation as one of Australia’s top performing and truly member-focused funds stems from Bob’s vision and commitment during the past two decades,” Mr Williamson said.

“While Australian superannuation system has evolved, Energy Super has remained steadfast in its commitment to members. The board of directors and I are focused on continuing the fund’s enviable track record of delivering consistent and above-benchmark returns, along with tailored, innovative and relevant products and services.”

After beginning his career as an apprentice electrician in 1961, Mr Henricks became a leading figure in Queensland’s energy industry.  He was first appointed as director and then chair of ESIS(Q), Energy Super’s predecessor, in May 1995.

Mr Henricks guided the formation of Energy Super through the merger of industry super funds ESI Super and SPEC Super in April 2011.  The fund has since grown to more than 49,000 members, predominantly in the energy sector, and more than $5.5 billion in funds under management.  

Recently, Energy Super was named the third best performing fund in 2014 by research house Morningstar. Energy Super was also named as the nation’s favourite super fund after winning the Consumer Choice Award at the national 2014 SelectingSuper Awards.

In announcing his move, Mr Henricks said he was keen to remain on Energy Super’s board and further contribute to the fund’s growth and success.

“I’m proud of what Energy Super, and its predecessor funds, have been able to achieve for working Australians in helping to secure their financial futures,” Mr Henricks said. “Workers in Australia’s energy sector have unique needs and our mission will always be to ensure these needs are met.

“After two decades, I feel the time is right to step down from the role of chairperson. I look forward to continuing to work with the Energy Super board of directors under the experienced hand of Mark Williamson.”

www.energysuper.com.au

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THE Australia Regional Tourism Network (ARTN) TravelResearch.com Young Tourism Professional 2014 Award has been won by 28 year old Anna Del Rio from Coorong, South Australia, who was acclaimed for her community-building tourism approach.

Ms Del Rio received the award at the ARTN Convention in Port Stephens on October 23, presented by ARTN chairman David Sheldon and MyTravelResearch.com director Carolyn Childs.

Ms Childs told the awards audience that the judges had been “wowed by Anna’s can-do attitude in building tourism from the ground up in her region by engaging the broader community”.

“So many managers sit back and bemoan a lack of budget. But it seemed to spur Anna to greater efforts demonstrating the true spirit of local and regional tourism in Australia,” Ms Childs said.

Ms Del Rio said she was looking forward to using the momentum from the awards to increase the tourism potential of the Coorong District Council. She said that she would continue to work with the community and businesses to achieve sustainability and attract increased visitation to the region through a range of new initiatives.

“I feel very proud. I never imagined that I would be recognised in this industry for doing something that I love,” Ms Childs said. “I’m very proud of the Coorong too.

“A big thanks to MyTravelResearch.com and ARTN who made this happen and for being advocates for tourism development and attracting young professionals to this industry, which is what Australia needs.”

The five young finalists were Victoria James from WA, Anthea Hammon from NSW, Tash Wheeler from Queensland, Tim Witherow from Victoria and Anna Del Rio.

www.regionaltourism.com.au

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LARRY MARSHALL has been appointed as the new chief executive of the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), taking over on January 1, 2015, from Megan Clark who has led the organisation for more than six years.

“Dr Marshall has an impeccable record as a scientist, a technology innovator and business leader,” CSIRO Board chairman Simon McKeon. 

The chief executive of CSIRO is probably the most important position in national science administration, so we conducted an extensive global search for an innovative scientist with strong business leadership qualities, and more than 70 candidates were considered.

“His wealth of experience in developing and applying science and technology makes him an excellent fit. Dr Marshall combines commercial and scientific credentials with extensive global experience, making him the world class leader we were seeking for CSIRO.”

Dr Marshall is managing director of Southern Cross Ventures, a venture capital firm based in Silicon Valley, Shanghai and Sydney, specialising in growing Australian technology companies in Asia and US. He has a longstanding partnership with SoftBank China, China’s most successful venture capital (VC) firm, and co-manages the Renewable Energy Fund, founded in 2012, with them.

Dr Marshall was educated at Macquarie University Sydney where he took a doctorate in physics. He began his career in the Defence Science and Technology Organisation and has 25 years experience as an international technology entrepreneur and holds 20 patents protecting commercial products. He has lived in the US for 25 years and founded and/or was CEO of Light Solutions, Iridex (Nasdaq:IRIX), Iriderm, Lightbit, Translucent, AOC, Arasor (ASX: ARR), and the Renewable Energy Fund; driving two of them to successful IPOs.

Dr Marshall is currently on the boards of Mocana, Quantenna, Wave, Nitero, SBA, Advance, SXVP, REVCF, Laser Focus World and serves as chairman of  RIO, Crossfiber and Advance Innovation. He is co-chairman of Blackbird and Brismat. He is a passionate supporter of Australian innovation and Australian entrepreneurs, Mr McKeon said.

www.csiro.au

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