Paul Vogel to Chair Western Australian Marine Science Institution

Following a major governance review, the Western Australian Marine Science Institution has welcomed Dr Paul Vogel AM as the new chair of its board. Paul brings a wealth of knowledge and experience across three jurisdictions in environmental impact assessment, regulatory reform and achieving strategic environmental outcomes.

Currently a non-executive board director and strategic consultant, Dr Vogel was chair of Western Australia’s Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) from 2007 – 2015. Prior to that he was the inaugural chief executive and chair of the South Australian EPA from 2002 – 2007.

Dr Vogel has also held senior executive positions in the WA Departments of the Premier and Cabinet and Environmental Protection. He holds a PhD in chemistry from the University of Western Australia.

Dr Vogel is chair of the national Cooperative Research Centre for Contamination Assessment and Remediation of the Environment and is a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. He was appointed to the Northern Territory (NT) EPA in January 2016 and became Chairman of the NT EPA and a member of the NT Planning Commission in November 2016.

WAMSI would like to thank Bruce Lake, who stepped in as interim chair of the board in January 2019 to oversee WAMSI’s governance review process. Bruce Lake is Director and previous Chair of the Australian Petroleum Production and Exploration Association (APPEA) and was a member of the Premier’s Roundtable discussions to guide the foundation of a long-term collaboration between all sectors operating in WA’s marine environment.

The process of filling positions on the new WAMSI board is underway. The focus for WAMSI’s new skills-based and independent board will be on delivering key priorities in the WA Government’s Blueprint for Marine Science 2050 and seeking further opportunities for collaborative, strategic marine research.

WAMSI Announces New Strategic Board and Chair

After more than 10 years in operation, the Western Australian Marine Science Institution has undergone a major governance review and on Thursday (26 March) welcomed a new board led by Dr Paul Vogel AM as chair.

The reinvigorated board replaces the existing research and government partnership representatives who have led the institution through three major research programs that have vastly improved our understanding of the Western Australian marine environment.

The board membership, which reaches an institutional milestone for WAMSI with a more balanced gender representation, consists of:

  • Dr Paul Vogel (Chair), Non-executive board director and strategic consultant
  • Dr Debra Cousins, Executive Director, Science and Innovation, Department of Jobs, Tourism, Science and Innovation
  • Dr Ian Cresswell, Environmental Scientist
  • Mr Bruce Lake, Director and previous Chair of the Australian Petroleum Production and Exploration Association (APPEA)
  • Dr Rod Lukatelich, Non-Executive Director and Consultant
  • Dr Rochelle Macdonald, CEO Mid West Ports Authority and Non Executive Director Ports Australia
  • Ms Shirley McPherson, member of the official Australian Delegation to the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Peoples.

The focus for WAMSI’s new skills-based and independent board will be on delivering key priorities in the WA Government’s Blueprint for Marine Science and seeking further opportunities for collaborative, strategic marine research.

“I am delighted to be appointed as chair to continue the great work of WAMSI under a much improved governance structure with exciting prospects for further strategic and collaborative marine research to benefit all our stakeholders that will also deliver enhanced economic, environment and social outcomes for WA,” Dr Vogel said.

WAMSI CEO Dr Luke Twomey echoed the need for a strategic change.

“Times have changed since WAMSI was launched in 2007,” Dr Twomey said. “I’m optimistic that this structure will help us to move into a new strategic phase that responds to the changing economic climate.”

“I’d like to welcome the new board and chair and thank the outgoing board members for their valuable contribution,” Dr Twomey said. “I’d especially like to thank Bruce Lake, for stepping in as interim chair to oversee the governance review process.”

The new board will meet again in April 2020.

RELATED LINKS

WAMSI Board