(L-R): Screenwest CEO Willie Rowe, new board chair John Driscoll and retiring board chair Janelle Marr.
Former CEO of Seven West Media WA and ex-chairman of marketing agency Marketforce John Driscoll has been appointed chair of Screenwest, succeeding Janelle Marr.
Driscoll is a founding director of marketing company Longreach Consulting, a Council Member of RAC (WA) and deputy chairman of disability charity Rebound WA.
He joins the Screenwest board after a period of change for the organisation, including the shift from a government agency to an independent non-profit in 2017. There has also been several shifts in leadership. In December last year, Peter ‘Willie’ Rowe was officially appointed CEO, having acted in the role since the abrupt departure of Seph McKenna in September – McKenna was just nine months into a five year-term.
Marr, who has been a director of Screenwest since 2013 and chair since 2015, retires next month having served the maximum number of years under the agency’s constitution.
“It has been an incredible privilege to steer Screenwest through a period of significant development and change, including the transition from government to become an independent not-for-profit in 2017, securing a new home and expanding funding through the WA Regional Film Fund,” Marr said.
“During my term, we have focused on growing the relevance and impact of Screenwest and the WA screen community. Over the past six years, it has been pleasing to see the sector’s influence grow to become the busiest state in the country for Australian film and screen production.
“John will bring a breadth of skills to the Screenwest board, which will be instrumental in enabling it to continue to provide sound governance and support to the team – continuing the great work already underway.”
Discoll said: “The past few years have been a period of generational change both for Screenwest and for the film industry in Western Australia and I look forward to being able to continue that positive momentum.
“Our screen industry has won well deserved national and international acclaim for capturing the essence of Western Australia and for attracting and developing an incredibly talented group of people who now make up an important industry for our state.
“Our challenge moving forward is to develop a broader community understanding of the importance of this industry and its role, using both traditional and emerging technologies, ensuring its commercial success well into the future.”