- Simon Taylor appointed as Chief Executive Officer of the Pilbara Development Commission
- Follows extensive recruitment process by Public Sector Commissioner
Regional Development Minister Don Punch has today announced the appointment of Simon Taylor as Chief Executive Officer of the Pilbara Development Commission.
Mr Taylor has served as the Executive Director of the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation since 2021, leading a large team across the State delivering critical water services.
He brings with him many years of senior leadership experience across the public sector in Western Australia and has a long association with the Pilbara.
Mr Taylor has previously worked as a Regional Executive Director for the Department of Communities and as a consultant for the private sector.
An extensive recruitment process was conducted by the Public Sector Commissioner for the role, following which the Public Sector Commissioner recommended the appointment of Mr Taylor, who will start in the CEO position from 18 March.
His appointment follows the departure of outgoing CEO Terry Hill, who demonstrated strong regional leadership and provided strategic direction for the Development Commission since 2016.
Under Mr Hill’s leadership the Pilbara Development Commission has driven significant initiatives in the region, including economic development, liveability, and culture and the creative industries.
Regional development commissions are key to the Cook Government’s job creating agenda on the ground in regional WA, working to grow and diversify the State’s regional economies.
As stated by Regional Development Minister Don Punch:
“Our regional development commissions play such a crucial role in connecting business with Government, and I’m confident the Pilbara Development Commission will continue to make those valuable connections with Simon Taylor as CEO.
“I would like to say special thanks to outgoing CEO Terry Hill who made significant inroads across the region since his appointment and have no doubt he will continue to make a valuable contribution in his position as chair of the PDC.
“I’d also like to acknowledge Michael Heap and Trish Barron for their work as acting CEOs over the past few months. They will both step back into their previous roles overseeing the development of some very significant projects in the region.”
