Football West is pleased to announce it has appointed Annette Ellis to its Board.
The communications and governance specialist is Head of Corporate Affairs at Westgold Resources (ASX/TSX: WGX). She is a director of leading public affairs firm Purple, past Chair of the Salvation Army’s Corporate & Philanthropic Advisory Board and a pro-bono advisor to the Royal Flying Doctor Service.
“I am delighted to have this opportunity to work with a high-calibre board in a sport that has featured so strongly in my family and community since childhood,” Ms Ellis said.
“Growing up in South Africa and coming from a Scottish family, I have firsthand experience in football as a unifying force.
“It was always great leveller, bringing people from all backgrounds together. I am a big believer in the power of sport and I am an advocate for a level playing field for all.
“It is exciting to join a board that offers a wide set of expertise and skill sets.”
Football West Chair Sherif Andrawes said: “Football West is delighted to welcome Annette as our newest director and we are excited at what she will bring to the organisation.
“She is passionate about the positive role of football in the community and how it can bring people together.”
Ms Ellis replaces Amy Johnson, who served as a Football West director and Deputy Chair.
Mr Andrawes added: “Football West would like to recognise the tremendous contribution of Amy Johnson, who has been a valued director and Deputy Chair at a time when we have taken great strides forward following the challenges of Covid.”
ANNETTE ELLIS
Annette is an experienced executive director, corporate advisor and board member who is fluent in risk management, strategy oversight, governance and crisis communication. She is a believer in the power of inclusive corporate culture as the driver of sustainable, high performance.
She joined Purple, Western Australia’s premier PR firm, in 2008 shortly after immigrating to Australia from South Africa. Annette went on to lead the firm as its first female CEO from 2017, and as Managing Director from 2021 to 2024, before stepping aside to once again work directly in the gold sector where her career started and where she feels most at home.
Annette remains a non-executive director on Purple’s board.
She brings a long and successful track record in the establishment, governance, and sustainable growth of a number of member-based organisations, including as provincial Chair of the Businesswomen’s Association of Southern Africa; and advising a number of Purple’s member-based clients during her time with the firm, including the Gold Industry Group, the Australia-Africa Mining and Energy Group and the Domestic Gas Alliance.