The Minister for Foreign Affairs, the Hon Julie Bishop MP, has named Sharon Warburton as the first West Australian New Colombo Plan Business Champion.
As a New Colombo Plan Business Champion, Ms Warburton will help promote the value of study in Australia's region to student career prospects, and will encourage involvement in the New Colombo Plan to drive greater understanding and engagement between Australia and the Indo-Pacific.
Ms Warburton is an Executive Director of Brookfield Multiplex, a Non-Executive Director of Fortescue Metals Group and a member of the Curtin Business School Asia Business Centre Advisory Board. She also founded steelheels.com.au, an online mentoring toolkit for professional women.
With her extensive business experience, her passion for coaching and mentoring, and her strong networks in Australia and the region, Ms Warburton will play an important role in support of the New Colombo Plan.
Ms Warburton joins 9 other New Colombo Plan Business Champions who were appointed by the Foreign Minister in 2015:
- Brian Hartzer – Westpac Chief Executive Officer
- Jayne Hrdlicka – Jetstar Group Chief Executive Officer
- David Fried – QBE CEO Emerging Markets
- Alison Watkins – Coca-Cola Amatil Group Managing Director
- Geoff Culbert – GE Australia and New Zealand President and Chief Executive
- Doug Ferguson – KPMG National Leader, Asia Business Group
- Wendy Holdenson – Mitsui & Co Director and Executive Vice President
- Rob Thomason – CPA Australia Executive General Manager Education
- Peter Botten – Managing Director, Oil Search (from 19 October 2015)
Follow the NCP on Twitter: @NewColomboPlan
