Port of Melbourne and Kimberley Ports Authority change leadership

Port of Melbourne CEO Saul Cannon has announced the appointment of Craig Faulkner as the port’s Executive General Manager of Operations, who will commence his role on 20th June 2022.

Faulkner joins PoM from the Kimberley Ports Authority, where he brought his extensive experience in the ports sector as its CEO for nearly three years.

He replaces PoM longstanding EGM Operations Keith Gordon, who will be retiring after 17 years.

“It is with regret that the KPA Board accepts Craig’s resignation after two years and nine months with the Authority,” said Reece Waldock, Chair at KPA.

“During his time with us, Craig has been instrumental in returning KPA to a stable financial position, amalgamating the other three commercial Kimberley ports into KPA as well as progressing potential major infrastructure projects in the region,” Waldock said.

Before joining KPA, Faulkner has held CEO roles at the Port of Launceston and Australian Amalgamated Terminals in Melbourne.

He has also held senior leadership roles in companies operating ports, port terminals, distribution, towage and bunkering operations in all states in Australia, and in New Zealand.

“We wish Craig and his partner Gina all the best in their future endeavours,” Waldock said.

KPA said that its current Chief Operating Officer Luke Westlake, has been appointed as the Acting CEO until a permanent appointment is made.

For most of his career, Westlake was in the Australian ports industry and has held a variety of management roles in stevedoring and towage for DP World, Asciano and TK Shipping.

Prioring to joining KPA, Westlake served as General Manager Operations and Director of DP World Fremantle.

Apart from a change in its operations leadership, Port of Melbourne CEO Saul Cannon has also announced the appointment of Tony Murphy: the second appointment to the port’s executive leadership team.

Murphy will join the port on 30 May as EGM Port Development, a new role that will bring focus to the port’s capacity planning and development, in line with the Port Development Strategy.

Murphy is returning to PoM having previously held the role of GM Infrastructure Delivery, with responsibility for development of Webb Dock. He has also held senior development roles at the University of Melbourne, the Arts Centre and Transurban.

On Keith Gordon’s retirement, Cannon thanked him for his significant contribution to the port over the past 17 years.

“Keith has spent many years in senior port roles around Australia before his time here and has made a significant contribution to the maritime logistics sector throughout his career” Cannon said in a statement

“We look forward to marking Keith’s contribution to PoM closer to his retirement date,” he said.

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