MERIDIAN PARK - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Acting Chief Operations Officer at DevelopmentWA
Andrew Williams is the Acting Chief Operations Officer at DevelopmentWA. He is responsible for a large team of people to drive commercial and social outcomes across a significant state-wide portfolio of projects.
With more than 20 years' experience in the property development industry, Andrew joined DevelopmentWA in January 2019 as the inaugural General Manager for the newly established Industrial Lands Authority. Previously, Andrew held leadership positions in ASX-listed companies, a state-owned enterprise, a national project management consultancy and a construction contractor.
Having spent the first 10 years of his career as a consultant town planner on a range of master-planned developments and building projects, Andrew then transitioned into project delivery and development management, encompassing the full project lifecycle from feasibility through to marketing and sales.
Andrew holds an MBA as well as tertiary qualifications in urban planning and project management, he is also a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Appointed to the Board on 1 September 2021, Darren Cooper has more than 20 years' experience in the property industry.
He is currently Managing Director of his own consulting business and holds a number of Board and strategic advisory positions across property, training and labour hire, technology and e-commerce organisations.
He is a Past President and Life Member of the Urban Development Institute of Australia (UDIA) in Western Australia and a Past President of UDIA National.
Darren is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and has a Bachelor of Business and Masters of Applied Finance.
Dean is the acting Chief Executive and an accomplished leader with more than 25 years of experience in the property and construction industry.
Dean has worked across all sectors of the property market in Australia and the UK including Residential, Industrial, Commercial and Hospitality. His experience is diverse and includes senior roles within Mirvac WA prior to his current position.
He is a former Vice President of the Property Council of Australia (WA Division) and a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Dean is responsible for a large team of people to drive commercial and social outcomes across a significant state-wide portfolio of projects. He is passionate about delivering projects that demonstrate innovation and industry best practice.
With more than 25 years' experience in financial management, Fiona leads the Corporate Services team, driving business improvement at every level.
Her strategic approach ensures the organisation is equipped to respond to emerging land and infrastructure opportunities to realise the potential of our rapidly growing state.
Fiona has an extensive portfolio of responsibilities including financial management, strategy, human resources, information technology, commercial delivery and facilities management.
Prior to joining DevelopmentWA in 2014, she enjoyed a successful commercial career in the mining services, resources and aviation industries, holding a range of senior management positions.
Fiona holds a MBA from Deakin University, a Bachelor of Business, a Graduate Diploma in Applied Finance, a Graduate Diploma in Company Secretarial Practice, a Graduate Diploma in Company Directorship and a Graduate Diploma in Human Resources Management.
She is a Fellow Certified Practising Accountant (FCPA), a Chartered Secretary and is currently a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, CPA Australia and The Governance Institute of Australia.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board
- Owner and Director at CLE Town Planning
Jane Bennett was appointed to the Board on 1 January 2018. Jane is Chairperson of the Central Perth, Midland and Scarborough Land Redevelopment Committees and member of the Armadale and Subiaco Land Redevelopment Committees.
With extensive experience as a practising town planner in local government and private practice, she has been instrumental in the planning and delivery of major residential, commercial and industrial projects in Western Australia, as well as major government and institutional projects. Jane is a strong advocate for, and actively involved in, the planning reform agenda. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Urban and Regional Planning, a Masters in Business Administration and is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. Jane was made a Fellow of the Planning Institute of Australia in 2015 for her contribution to planning.
Jane is an owner and Director at CLE Town Planning and Design and is a member of the Western Australian Planning Commission. Jane is a UDIA WA Councillor and Chair of the Planning Committee.
Jo Gaines was appointed to the Board on 1 March 2022 and is a member of the Central Perth Land Redevelopment Committee.
Jo is an experienced organisational leader and strategic policy director operating at the highest level of government in Australia and was the Deputy Chief of Staff to Mark McGowan, the Premier of Western Australia and Leader of the Opposition.
Jo has led significant policy development affecting the economic and social fabric of Western Australia and has extensive experience in intergovernmental negotiations and stakeholder engagement. This includes in a diverse range of fields including job creation, economic diversification, energy, training, child protection, health, contracting and procurement, and climate change.
Jo is the Chair of GESB and Executive Director of Gaines Advisory. She is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and holds a Bachelor of Arts and a Post Graduate Diploma in Occupational Health and Safety.
Job Titles:
- Executive General Manager of Business Development
- Executive General Manager, Business Development & Marketing
Lorissa is the executive general manager of Business Development & Marketing, and is responsible for strategic and business planning, pursuit of new business opportunities, disposal of surplus government assets, advisory services to government and marketing and communication activity.
She has a wealth of experience in a diverse range of areas such as legislation development, property acquisition and operations, public policy, strategic planning, public relations, crisis communications and stakeholder management.
Before joining DevelopmentWA in January 2022, Lorissa spent six years at the Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage as an Assistant Director General in Business and Corporate Services, then Strategy and Engagement. Lorissa has previously been seconded from the public service to work as Chief of Staff for the former Minister for Planning, where she had involvement with key projects including the new museum, Perth City Link and Elizabeth Quay.
Her qualifications include a Bachelor of Commerce (First Class Honours) from Curtin University and an Executive Master of Public Administration from the Australia New Zealand School of Government.
Job Titles:
- Executive General Manager, Planning and Transition
As Executive General Manager, Planning and Transition, Matt plays a central role in the transformation and renewal of metropolitan Perth. Matt oversees planning of urban regeneration projects including Elizabeth Quay, Perth City Link, Yagan Square and the Scarborough foreshore along with the continued redevelopment of East Perth, Midland and Armadale.
Prior to joining DevelopmentWA in January 2021, Matt had extensive experience in progressing complex land, planning and property matters with roles as Director - Government Relations; Director - Land Use Management within the Department of Planning, Lands & Heritage. He also spent time as the Principal Policy Advisor to the Minister of Lands.
Matt has a Bachelor of Urban and Regional Planning from Curtin University.
Rebecca Field was appointed to the Board on 1 January 2018 and was appointed Deputy Chairperson on 16 October 2019. Rebecca is the Chairperson of the Board's Governance and Remuneration Committee and a member of the Audit and Risk Management Committee.
She is a partner at Corrs Chambers Westgarth. Known for her combination of excellent technical ability, good commercial sense and strategic thinking, Rebecca advises clients on the legal, strategic and risk management issues associated with property development and redevelopment projects and the sale, acquisition and leasing of large commercial, retail, industrial, pastoral, agricultural and tourism assets. Rebecca also has many years' experience in property and development finance, and is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Reg Gillard was appointed to the Board on 1 September 2021. Reg is Chairperson of the Board's Audit and Risk Management Committee.
He has extensive experience in accounting, corporate management and governance.
Reg has helped guide around 30 ASX-listed companies through executive and non-executive director and chair roles and is now in semi-retirement.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board
- Head of the Perth Corporate Group for Law Firm Herbert Smith Freehills
Simon Reed was appointed to the WALA Board on 16 October 2019 and MRA Board on 1 January 2020. Simon is a member of Board's Audit and Risk Management Committee and the Governance and Remuneration Committee.
Simon is also head of the Perth Corporate Group for law firm Herbert Smith Freehills. Simon has over 20 years of experience as a corporate lawyer, advising both listed and private companies as well as government and statutory bodies. Simon specialises in governance matters, mergers and acquisitions, capital markets and corporate reconstructions. He has acted for clients in a range of sectors including mining, energy, financial services, manufacturing and property. Simon has strong relationships with key stakeholders in the Australian corporate regulatory landscape.
Simon holds a Bachelor of Laws with honours and a Bachelor of Economics. Simon also holds a Graduate Diploma of Applied Finance and Investment (corporate finance major) from FINSIA. He was previously a Board member for WA Music.