Colin Beckett appointed Curtin University’s new Chancellor

Miri – 4 September 2012 – Curtin University is pleased to announce the appointment of Colin Beckett, General Manager Greater Gorgon Area, Chevron Australia as its new Chancellor effective 1 January 2013.

Mr. Beckett succeeds Dr Jim Gill, who has held the position of Chancellor since 2010. His appointment is unanimously endorsed by Curtin University’s Council.

Mr. Beckett was born in the United Kingdom and has resided in Australia since 1988. He graduated with a master degree in engineering from the University of Cambridge and has 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, one of the world’s leading international oil and gas companies.

Mr. Beckett has spent the past 12 years with Chevron in Perth, Western Australia 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 Western Australia Technology and Industry Advisory Council.

“Mr. Beckett has been a member of the Curtin Council 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,” said Curtin University Vice-Chancellor Professor Hacket.

On outgoing Chancellor Dr. Jim Gill, Professor Hacket said Curtin University has greatly benefitted from his term as Chancellor. She added that Dr. Gill’s commitment to Curtin University and his leadership of the Curtin Council has been significant, and that his legacy will continue to be felt as current plans for the university come to fruition in the coming years.

Meanwhile, Pro Vice-Chancellor Professor Ian Kerr of Curtin University, Sarawak Malaysia (Curtin Sarawak), Curtin’s largest international campus located in Miri, Sarawak remarked that Mr. Bennett’s appointment was most welcome one, given his vast experience, both in higher education and industry.

He thanked Dr. Jim Gill for his support towards Curtin Sarawak during his term and wished him all the best in his future endeavours.

University’s new Chancellor, Mr. Colin Beckett.