Curtin University has appointed Colin Beckett, General Manager Greater Gorgon Area, Chevron Australia as its new Chancellor, to commence on 1 January 2013.
Mr Beckett will succeed Dr Jim Gill AO, former WA Water Corporation Chief Executive Officer, who has been Chancellor since 2010.
Curtin Vice-Chancellor Professor Jeanette Hacket welcomed Mr Beckett’s appointment which has been unanimously endorsed by Curtin University’s Council.
“Mr Beckett has been a Council member since October 2010 and a member of the Curtin Business School Advisory Council since July 2009. His knowledge of Curtin and the higher education sector, along with his industry perspective and international experience will be of enormous benefit to the University,” Professor Hacket said.
Professor Hacket also thanked outgoing Chancellor, Dr Jim Gill for his service to the University.
“Curtin greatly benefited from Dr Gill’s term as Chancellor. His commitment to Curtin and leadership of Council have been significant, and his legacy will continue to be felt as current plans for the University come to fruition in the coming years.”
Mr Beckett was born in the United Kingdom and has lived in Australia since 1988. He has a master degree in engineering from the University of Cambridge, along with more than 35 years experience in the upstream oil and gas industry. He has worked with many internationally recognised organisations within this industry, including spending 20 years with BP.
Mr Beckett has spent the past 12 years with Chevron in Perth and has held his current position of General Manager Greater Gorgon Area, since 2005.
As part of his role, Mr Beckett is responsible for the development of the Gorgon LNG and domestic gas project being developed on Barrow Island off Western Australia’s North West coast.
He is a board member and past Chairman of the Australian Petroleum Producers and Explorers Association, a member of the Scitech Board, the Resources Sector Suppliers Advisory Forum, and the WA Technology and Industry Advisory Council.
Contact:
Julia Nicol, Public Relations, Curtin University
Tel: 08 9266 7711, Mobile: 0409 202 134, Email: j.k.nicol@curtin.edu.au
