Lands Minister Tony Buti has today confirmed the appointments of Darren Cooper as the new Chairperson and Reg Gillard as a new member of the DevelopmentWA Board.
The appointments follow the upcoming board retirements of George McCullagh and Simon Read after more than a decade of service to LandCorp, Metropolitan Redevelopment Authority and DevelopmentWA.
As the former national president of Urban Development Institute of Australia - and with more than 25 years' experience working with some of Australia's largest development companies - Mr Cooper will bring a wealth of development experience to the role.
Mr Cooper also currently advises boards in the property development and telecommunications industries, and is Deputy Board Chair of Foundation Housing, a not-for-profit community housing provider which manages a large portfolio of homes across Western Australia.
Mr Gillard brings with her more than 50 years' business experience over a wide range of fields such as accounting and corporate finance. He has served on the boards of more than 30 listed resources companies operating throughout Australia and internationally.
He also formed Specialist Sports Management and as an AFL player agent he managed dozens of West Coast Eagles and Fremantle Dockers players.
Both appointments commence on September 1, 2021.
As stated by Lands Minister Tony Buti:
"As the State Government's land development agency, DevelopmentWA is at the forefront of creating land for living and land for jobs, and helps to build our State's social and economic prosperity.
"The breadth and depth of knowledge and experience that both Mr Cooper and Mr Gillard will bring to the Board will be of immense value as DevelopmentWA works to meet the State's land and infrastructure needs.
"I'd also like to thank George McCullagh and Simon Read for more than a decade of service to LandCorp, MRA and DevelopmentWA since they were appointed in 2010.
"During this time, they've overseen some of WA's most significant developments including the build out of Elizabeth Quay, Perth City Link, expansion at the Australian Marine Complex and the transformation of the Karratha City Centre.
"George was particularly influential in the creation of DevelopmentWA. His expertise as a conduit between government and industry stakeholders throughout the merger process played a major part in the smooth transition to a new, larger organisation.
"As chair of the Board's Audit and Risk Management Committee, Simon was particularly influential in developing robust financial, risk and audit aspects of the business, which has underpinned the Agency's ongoing financial health and sustainability.
"Both George and Simon leave behind lasting positive legacies."
