Ports Minister, Alannah MacTiernan, has announced the appointment of Brad Geatches to chair the Pilbara Ports Authority.
Mr Geatches is expected to bring significant commercial experience to the role, in which he will oversee the world’s largest bulk export port authority.
Mr Geatches served as chief executive officer at the Cairns Port Authority from 2002 to 2007, before becoming chief executive officer at Perth Airport from 2007 to 2016.
He has also worked as chief executive officer at coal mining company, Powercoal.
The Pilbara Ports Authority is a significant contributor to the local and State Government economies.
In 2017-18, the value of commodities handled through PPA’s ports was approximately $83 billion.
Minister MacTiernan said that Pilbara ports delivers a considerable part of Western Australia’s wealth (approximately $228 million of exports go through the ports of Port Hedland, Dampier and Ashburton every day) and it is critical that the State continues to have strong leadership at the Ports Authority.
“Brad has worked in ports, mining and aviation: he brings a wealth of commercial experience to the table, and will ensure the Pilbara ports continue to deliver for our resources sectors and the State,” she said.
“I’d like to thank Ken Pettit for his service as chairperson of the Pilbara Ports Authority, in particular for overseeing the amalgamation of the region’s port authorities.”