The new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Western Australia’s Chamber of Minerals and Energy (CME), has officially commenced their new role.
Rebecca Tomkinson comes to CME from the Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS), where she served as CEO for more than four years.
Ms Tomkinson has taken the reins from Paul Everingham, who stepped down from the role at the end of his contract earlier in the year.
Ms Tomkinson said she was excited about the opportunity to serve as CME’s CEO.
“It is a real honour to join CME and I am looking forward to working in partnership with our member companies in the mining and resources sector in Western Australia,” Ms Tomkinson said.
“Our sector is the engine room of the Australian economy and plays a critical role in our communities, our economy and our everyday lives.”
During Ms Tomkinson’s tenure at RFDS, the service achieved significant growth and new capabilities through diversification and technological advances, including the introduction of two new aircraft types at the RFDS in Western Australia – Pilatus PC24 jets and EC145 helicopters – both national firsts for the organisation.
The Rio Tinto LifeFlight PC24 jets have halved flight times and increased patient capacity on long-haul routes across Western Australia since their introduction in 2018. The integration of the jets led to the RFDS being named the state’s Tech Company of the Year in 2019.
Ms Tomkinson thanked acting CEO, Rob Carruthers, for managing the organisation since late May.
“Rob has expertly guided CME during the past several months, including establishing important links with the new Albanese Federal Government and leading the response to the WA Parliamentary Inquiry Into Sexual Harassment Of Women In the FIFO Mining Industry,” Ms Tomkinson said.
“I will work closely with Rob and the executive team over the next month as I make the transition out of RFDS into CME.”
After more than 3.5 years with CME, Mr Carruthers will depart the organisation to take up a new corporate affairs role at Liontown Resources.
