The Chamber of Minerals and Energy of Western Australia (CME) is pleased to announce the appointment of Fiona Hick as its new President.
Ms Hick, who is Woodside’s Executive Vice President Operations and has 25 years of experience across mining and oil and gas, succeeds Ivan Vella, who is moving to Canada to become Rio Tinto’s Chief Executive, Aluminium.
Ms Hick said she was excited to take on the presidency at a time of great growth and opportunity for the mining and resources sector. It is believed she will be the first woman to serve as CME President.
“I’m very proud of the way the entire sector has collaborated to operate both safely and effectively through the COVID-19 pandemic,” Ms Hick said.
“And there are so many more exciting opportunities set to be realised. The $140 billion in mining and resources sector projects in the pipeline around the State reflect how our sector will continue to support economic growth and job creation for WA for decades to come.”
CME Chief Executive Paul Everingham welcomed Ms Hick to her new role.
“I’ve been lucky enough to get to know Fiona through her involvement with CME as both Vice President and on our Executive Committee,” Mr Everingham said.
“Fiona is an extremely experienced, passionate and skilled leader within our sector and I know these qualities will be vital in her new role as President.”
Mr Everingham also paid tribute to Mr Vella, who was appointed CME President in April 2020.
“Ivan could scarcely have taken on the role at a more challenging time for the sector – with so much uncertainty surrounding how COVID-19 might affect the country, our State and also the sector,” Mr Everingham said.
“His leadership over the past year was not only invaluable for myself and CME staff, but helped ensure the entire sector kept operating through the pandemic to generate records in sales, royalty contributions for the WA Government and jobs in communities around the State.”
Two Vice Presidents were also appointed at today’s CME Annual General Meeting: Felicity Hughes, Regional Chief Financial Officer at Newmont Australia, and Bill Beament from Venturex.
