Kerry Gaye Sanderson, AC,CVO (née Smith; born 21 December 1950) is a retired Australian public servant and business director, who served as the 32nd Governor of Western Australia, in office from 20 October 2014 to 1 May 2018. She is the first woman to have held the position. She has since served as Chancellor of Edith Cowan University for 2019–2021.[2][3]
After leaving Fremantle Ports, Sanderson was named Agent-General for Western Australia for a three-year term (from 2008 to 2011), representing the government in the United Kingdom and Europe. On her return to Australia, she entered the private sector, holding board-level positions with several publicly traded companies. She was appointed to succeed Malcolm McCusker as Governor of Western Australia in August 2014.
Early life and public service
From Perth, Western Australia, Sanderson was raised in the city's western suburbs, attending Wembley Primary School and Churchlands Senior High School.[1] She later graduated from the University of Western Australia with Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Economics degrees, with a mathematics concentration. After graduation, she worked in a computing job for a period of time, but subsequently switched to the public service.[4] Sanderson worked for the Government of Western Australia's Department of Treasury for 17 years, including as director of the economic and financial policy division, and was then deputy director-general of the Department of Transport for four years, becoming "one of the state’s most senior and well-regarded bureaucrats".[5] She and her husband Lancelot John (Lance) Sanderson had two sons; he died in 2007.[6]
Fremantle Ports
In October 1991, Sanderson was named acting general manager of Fremantle Ports,[7] a publicly owned state government trading enterprise (GTE) responsible for Fremantle Harbour and attached facilities in Cockburn Sound.[8] She was appointed chief executive officer (CEO) in 1992, and was re-appointed for another five years in November 1997,[9] going on to continue in the position until October 2008.[10] As CEO, Sanderson was credited with "turning Australia's most inefficient port into its fastest", despite "prejudice against her gender, and the reputation of Australia's waterfront for being notoriously slack". She re-organised the company along total quality management principles and began charging fees based on cargo volume instead of time in port,[11] with the company subsequently going from a A$37-million loss in 1990–91 to a profit three years later. She also re-negotiated with maritime unions, decreasing the number of industrial awards from 29 to six.[12] Overall, Fremantle Ports more than tripled the value of its container throughput during Sanderson's time as CEO, with total movements (in tonnage) growing by 56 percent.[13] Her replacement as CEO was Chris Leatt-Hayter, who was previously general manager strategic and commercial development.[14]
Agent-General
In July 2008, Sanderson was named Agent-General for Western Australia, replacing Noel Ashcroft. Appointed by Governor Ken Michael on the advice of Alan Carpenter, the premier at the time, she took up the role in November 2008, becoming the first female agent-general in Australia.[15] The agent-general is based at Australia House, London, and, as head of the government's European Office, is primarily involved in promoting trade and investment, with some diplomatic functions.[16] During her period as agent-general, Sanderson concentrated on attracting foreign investment and skilled immigrants to Western Australia, as well as promoting WA food and wine exports in European markets.[13] She was also involved in promoting Australia's (successful) bid for the Square Kilometre Array, a radio telescope to be built near Boolardy.[17] Sanderson left the position in December 2011, after her three-year term expired, and was replaced by Kevin Skipworth.[18]
Private sector
During her time as Fremantle Ports CEO, Sanderson had also served on the boards of Austrade and the Australian Wheat Board, as well as serving a term as president of Ports Australia, an industry group.[10] However, under the Agent General Act 1895, she was prohibited from holding any private-sector positions during her period as agent-general.[19] Shortly after finishing her stint as agent-general, Sanderson was named a non-executive director of Downer EDI, an engineering and infrastructure management firm.[20] She was also named to the boards of St John of God Health Care (2012-2014) and Atlas Iron (2012-2014), as well as being on the board of government entities holding positions with a number of charities and non-profit organisations.[21] Additionally, Sanderson was appointed an adjunct professor at Curtin University's business school in January 2013.[22] She resigned from her corporate positions before the start of her term as governor.[23]
After her term as governor, Sanderson was appointed to the board of St John of God Healthcare (Chair since May 2018) and been named to the board of the Western Australian Cricket Association (since 2021). She continues as a director of the WA Parks Foundation (inaugural chair since October 2016) as well as patron or ambassador of a number of not-for-profit entities.
After the 2017 state election, Sanderson swore in her second premier, Mark McGowan of the Labor Party. In her speech at the opening of state parliament in May 2017, she broke convention by including personal commentary on a political matter, namely Western Australia's disproportionate share of goods and services tax (GST) revenue. Her official secretary confirmed that the material had been inserted into the speech on the initiative of the governor, rather than being composed by the cabinet as is usually the case.[26]
14 June 2004: Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) "For service to the development and management of the port and maritime industries in Australia, and to public sector governance in the areas of finance and transport in Western Australia"[27]
13 June 2016: Companion of the Order of Australia (AC) "For eminent service to the people of Western Australia, to the promotion of international investment, scientific research and export opportunities, and through roles with maritime, mining, emergency management and not-for-profit organisations."[28]
^"Ms Kerry Sanderson has been appointed acting general manager of the Fremantle Port Authority. She replaces Mr Trevor Poustie." (18 October 1991). "Management" – The Australian Financial Review. Retrieved from Factiva, 26 June 2014.
^Anna Game-Lopata (28 May 2008). "Port in a storm" – "Logistics & Materials Handling". Retrieved 26 June 2014.
^Torrance Mendez (15 November 1997). "Five-year Posting At Port" – The West Australian. Retrieved from Factiva, 26 June 2014.
^ abDaniel Hatch (1 July 2008). "Sanderson quits as ports boss" – The West Australian. Retrieved 26 June 2014.
^Mark Lawson (11 May 1994). "Fees being set on cargo basis, rather than time" – The Australian Financial Review. Retrieved from Factiva, 26 June 2014.
^Tim Treadgold (13 August 1993). "Sanderson makes port shipshape" – BRW. Retrieved from Factiva, 26 June 2014.
^ abCharles Miranda (21 December 2008). "Selling it like it is" – The Sunday Times. Retrieved 26 June 2014.
^(23 December 2008). "New CEO for Fremantle Ports" – WA Business News. Retrieved from Factiva, 26 June 2014.
