Vaile Announces New Austrade Board Appointments

Trade Minister Mark Vaile today announced the appointment of the Chief Executive Officer of Fremantle Ports, Mrs Kerry Sanderson, and the Chairman of Profile Ray and Berndtson, Mr Ian Knop to the Board of Austrade for a three-year term.

"It is important to continue to bring the widest possible commercial experience to Austrade's Board as the organisation works to help Australian businesses gain the greatest benefits from international business opportunities, especially those resulting from Australia's free trade agreements," Mr Vaile said.

"Mrs Sanderson and Mr Knop bring a wealth of practical business knowledge, especially in the areas of export logistics and the services sector."

Mrs Kerry Sanderson AO, is Chief Executive Officer of Fremantle Ports and Vice President of the Association of Australian Ports and Marine Authorities. As well as in-depth experience in the logistics of exporting, Mrs Sanderson brings recent knowledge of commodity trading, having been a board member of AWB Ltd. Additionally, Mrs Sanderson is a trustee of the Fremantle Hospital Medical Research Foundation, a Board member of the Rio Tinto WA Future Fund, a member of the Australian Logistics Council and a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Transport and of the Australian Institute of Management. Mrs Sanderson joins the Board immediately.

Mr Ian Knop has extensive experience in Australian private and public sectors. He is the Chairman and Managing Director of Profile Ray and Berndtson, an international executive search and management consulting firm and also Chairman of the Ray and Berndtson Asia Pacific Practice. Mr Knop is Deputy Chairman of Aurora Energy and a retired Chairperson of the Sydney Ports Corporation. He is also a former Chairman of Soccer Australia and a former Member of the FIFA World Club Championship Organising Committee. Mr Knop's role as Deputy Chairman of the Export Finance and Insurance Corporation, the Government's official export credit agency, will cease when he becomes a member of the Austrade Board on 21 July 2005.

The two new Board members replace Professor Eileen Doyle, who retired after a six-year term in April, and Ms Mary Boydell, who concludes seven years of service in July.

"I would like to acknowledge the contribution of Professor Doyle and Ms Boydell to the Austrade Board and to the Australian exporting community in general. Their dedication to the cause of expanding Australia's business overseas has been profound and I wish them continued success with their future endeavours," Mr Vaile said.

Mr Vaile also announced the reappointment of Mr Peter O'Byrne as Managing Director of Austrade.

"Austrade plays a vital role in bringing the benefits of international trade to Australian business and to the wider community. I am confident that under Mr O'Byrne's stewardship Austrade will continue to achieve these important outcomes".

Austrade is the Federal Government agency, represented in over 110 locations in 57 countries, that helps Australian companies win overseas business by reducing the time, cost and risk involved in selecting, entering and developing international markets.

Contacts: Richard Forbes (Minister Vaile) 02 6277 7420 - Gregory Harvey (Austrade) 02 9390 2703