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The Board 

We have a skills-based Board to best manage the island.

Strategic Direction

The Board directs the Corporate Executive team and staff in managing operations and setting the strategic direction for the management of Rottnest Island. View the Rottnest Island Management Plan.

To achieve this, each member has been appointed to oversee a specific area of management for the island. Appointed by the Governor of Western Australia, upon nomination by the Minister for Tourism, the Board consists of: 

  • One Chairperson
  • A member experienced in conserving the environment
  • A member experienced in preserving buildings of historic value
  • A member with sound commercial experience
  • A member who is a regular user of the island for recreational purposes

Each Board member is appointed for a maximum term of three years, but can be reappointed from time to time. 

Meet the Board members

Hamish Beck

CHAIRPERSON

Hamish Beck, a distinguished company director with extensive strategic expertise, is passionate about contributing to the advancement and preservation of Western Australia. He is currently a Board Member of the Environmental Protection Authority, Chair of the Rottnest Island Authority, and Chair of the Western Australian Maritime Museum Advisory Committee.

As the founder and Managing Director of Beck Advisory since 2000, Mr Beck offers specialised strategic advice to large private and public companies, as well as non-profit institutions. Throughout his 30-year executive career, he has held senior positions within some of WA’s largest corporations and has actively engaged with numerous committees, boards, trusts, development groups, and foundations. Additionally, he serves as an advisor to a diverse array of institutional and private entities with varying interests and objectives.

Recently retiring from his roles as Chair of the Swan River Trust and the Central Perth Planning Committee, Mr Beck previously served as a Non-Executive Director of Primewest, one of Australia’s leading Real Estate Funds Management firms overseeing assets exceeding $5 billion. He also chaired the appointed Board Sub-Committee tasked with facilitating the merger between Primewest and Centuria. Notable past appointments include positions with the Cockburn Sound Management Council, Art Gallery of Western Australia, Architects Board of Western Australia, Property Education Foundation, Curtin University Business Studies Advisory Committee, and University of Western Australia Urban and Regional Planning Committee

Ann Robinson

DEPUTY CHAIR

Ann Robinson was appointed in July 2019 and chairs RIA’s Finance, Risk, and Audit Committee. She is a commercially-focused non-executive director, with subject matter expertise in business performance, audit, and risk. Ann is currently deputy chair of the Lionel Samson Sadleir Group, a director of D’Orsogna Limited, and a member of Curtin University’s Audit, Risk, and Compliance Committee.

Ann’s executive experience includes senior commercial roles at Wesfarmers Limited and as a management consultant in Australia, South Africa, and the USA. Her experience spans a variety of industries in mergers and acquisitions, corporate strategy, financial management, and performance improvement.

Anneke Brown

MEMBER

Anneke Brown has lived and breathed hospitality for over 25 years. Her expertise lies in hotel project development and management. 

Anneke’s international experience includes roles at Amanresorts. As the global Director of Training, Anneke was part of the project team for eight resort openings in Cambodia, India, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, and the Caribbean. In Australia Anneke has held management roles in Margaret River, in central Australia as the Resort Manager of Longitude 131 at Uluru, and as General Manager of COMO The Treasury, Perth. 

Anneke’s passion for Western Australia and the tourism industry led her to forming Anneke Brown Consulting in 2020, specialising in hospitality and tourism projects. Bringing international standards to the hotel development process, hotel design and operations, along with excellence in training and education, the business provides solutions to Western Australian organisations with the desire to elevate their offering. 

Anneke holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of Western Australia, is a founding member and current Chair of Women in Tourism and Hospitality WA, a current Board member of the Rottnest Island Authority, and a former Commissioner on the Board of Tourism WA 

Guy Houston

MEMBER

Guy Houston was appointed in November 2021. He is strategic projects advisor for Australian Capital Equity, and major shareholder of Seven Group Holdings. Guy has almost 40 years’ experience in communications, politics, and government affairs in the public and corporate sectors. This includes 16 years’ working in the media as a print, radio, and TV journalist with the Australian Broadcasting Corporation and Channel 7. This was followed by nearly two decades in government and the corporate sector at senior levels, specialising in public affairs, political strategy, policy development, communications, and staff management. Guy was Chief of Staff to the Premier of Western Australia in 2017–21.  

Louise Watson

MEMBER

 Louise Watson was appointed in July 2020. She brings 17 years of experience, working across the people, safety, and environment portfolios on a range of Western Australian projects encompassing mining, port, rail, and pipelines. 

Louise has a Bachelor of Science (Hon) in Eco Chemistry from the University of Adelaide, and both a Graduate Diploma in Occupational Health and Safety and a Graduate Certificate in Human Resource Management from Edith Cowan University. She is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and a former board member of the Rottnest Foundation. Louise works as an independent consultant, providing WHS and environmental project support.   

Peter Lee OAM

MEMBER

Peter Lee OAM was appointed in July 2019. Peter is a Western Australian architect with extensive experience in large-scale developments in Australia and around the world. He is the recipient of many design awards. As an international principal of design firm HASSELL, Peter has been involved in the design of major Perth developments, including the Optus Stadium, the Westin Hotel, Crown Towers, Brookfield Place, and the city and stadium railway stations. Peter is also on the boards of FORM, Foundation Housing, and Open House Perth. He is an adjunct professor at Curtin University and on the State and Metropolitan Redevelopment Authority’s design review panels. Peter is also a specialist member of the WA Development Assessment Panels. In June 2022, Peter was awarded an Order of Australia for his services to community housing initiatives and to architecture. 

Pamela Thorley

EX-OFFICIO MEMBER

Pamela Thorley was appointed as an ex-officio member of the board in June 2023. The appointment reflects RIA’s Reconciliation Action Plan commitment to move forward together with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities with mutual respect and partnership. Pamela is a Noongar Menang woman, chair of RIA’s Wadjemup Aboriginal Reference Group (WARG), and co-chair of RIA’s Reconciliation Working Group. 

As a former Registrar of Aboriginal Sites, one of Pamela’s passions is the protection and culturally appropriate management of Aboriginal heritage and culture, including the cultural landscape and significant sites of Wadjemup. 

The Board’s committees

In addition to the Board, committees are appointed to work on specific tasks, operations, and initiatives. These are the committees that are currently active. 

Finance, Risk, and Audit Committee

The Finance, Risk, and Audit Committee oversees:

  • The effectiveness of RIA's financial and risk management processes
  • The internal audit function
  • RIA's control environment
  • All corporate governance processes

Contracts and Infrastructure Committee

The Contracts and Infrastructure Committee is responsible for:

  • Reviewing all major contracts, island properties and businesses, development applications, major projects, and the island’s infrastructure
  • Considering the recommendations accompanying evaluation reports for Expressions of Interest, major contracts, and works for endorsement
  • Providing oversight on the governance of all major contracts, leases, and works
  • Reviewing the performance of existing major contracts, leases, and works
  • Evaluating the merits and impacts of proposed major contracts and works variations

Information and Communications Technology, Brand, and Marketing (ICTBM) Committee

The ICTBM Committee oversees the implementation of the:

  • Digital & IT Plan
  • Destination Marketing Strategic Plan

Minister-appointed reference groups

Where matters concerning the island are outside of RIA’s frame of knowledge, the Minister for Tourism will appoint a reference group to address these. 

There are currently two active Minister-appointed reference groups.

Wadjemup Project Steering Group

The Wadjemup Project Steering Group (WPSG) is an advisory committee to the Board, appointed by the Minister for Tourism and endorsed by the Minister for Aboriginal Affairs for Stage Two of the Wadjemup Project. Members include Traditional Owners and Elders of Wadjemup, elected by the Whadjuk community.  

Learn more about the Wadjemup Project 

Wadjemup Aboriginal Reference Group

The Wadjemup Aboriginal Reference Group (WARG) consists of Aboriginal community members, including Whadjuk Traditional Owners and RIA representatives, and provides us with guidance on all Aboriginal cultural matters in relation to the day-to-day functioning of the island. 

Learn more about how we protect and promote the island’s cultural heritage

Related content

Find out more about the organisation and its operations.

Organisational Structure

View our organisational structure.
Governance

Read the legislation that governs RIA as a Statutory Authority.
Careers

Learn about opportunities to work for Rottnest Island Authority.
Managing the Island

Learn about the plans and strategies to manage the island.