Our Governance

Cape York Partnership (CYP) is governed by a Board of high-performing Australians committed to the empowerment of First Nations people in Cape York and nationwide. They come with exceptional experience and competence at the highest levels of government, business and corporate sectors, and Indigenous community leadership.

DANNY GILBERT AM | CO-CHAIR Danny Gilbert AM is co-founder and Managing Partner of Gilbert + Tobin. Danny currently holds a number of directorships including Director of the Business Council of Australia and Co-Chair of Australians for Indigenous Constitutional Recognition. Danny is a tireless champion of Indigenous rights.

RICHARD AH MAT | CO-CHAIR Richard (Richie) Ah Mat of the Wuthathi and Yupungathi Nations, was the first Aboriginal person in the role of President of a Construction Forestry Mining Energy Union Lodge. He is Chair of the Cape York Land Council, Co-Chair of The Cape York Partnership Group and a Non-Executive Director across all other entities within the group.

NOEL PEARSON | FOUNDER Noel Pearson is one of Australia’s leading thinkers. He comes from the Guugu Yimithirr Nation of Hope Vale and has advocated a ‘right to take responsibility’ empowerment agenda since his early 20s when he worked with the Cape York Elders to lead the land rights movement. He is focused on Indigenous constitutional reform.

DAVID JONES David Jones is Executive Director of VGI Partners, a global listed equities absolute return fund. David spent 17 years in private equity (1994-2011) as Managing Director at CHAMP Private Equity, Executive Director and Country Head of UBS Capital, and a Division Director at Macquarie Direct Investment.

FIONA JOSE | CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Fiona joined CYP in 2010 where she held senior management positions following more than 15 years of experience in management, business development, and government relations in aviation and education. Fiona is one of ten First Nations Leaders driving structural change through the national Empowered Communities initiative.

Non-Executive Directors

JON NICHOLSON Jon Nicholson has had a long corporate career serving as Chief Strategy Officer at Westpac, Senior Vice President with the Boston Consulting Group, and Senior Private Secretary to the Prime Minister of Australia, Bob Hawke. Jon is Chair of the Westpac Foundation, a Non-Executive Director of the IAG, and holds various other Board appointments.

DR KEN HENRY AC Dr Ken Henry AC served as the Secretary of the Department of the Treasury guiding Australia’s strategy through the Global Financial Crisis. He is a former member of the Board of the Reserve Bank of Australia, the Board of Taxation, the Council of Financial Regulators, the Council of Infrastructure Australia, and chaired the Board of National Australia Bank (NAB), and the Howard Government’s Taxation Task Force. He is Foundation Chair of the Sir Roland Wilson Foundation at the Australian National University.

ANN SHERRY AO Ann Sherry AO is Chair and Non-Executive Director of Enero Group, and Non-Executive Director of NAB. Ann is former Chair and Chief Executive Officer of Carnival Australia. Ann has held senior executive roles at Westpac for 12 years. She was also First Assistant Secretary—Office of the Status of Women advising the Prime Minister on policies to improve the status of women, and was Australia’s representative to the UN forums on human rights and women’s rights.

WAYNE BUTCHER Wayne Butcher was born and bred in Lockhart River. He has been the Mayor of Lockhart River Aboriginal Shire Council since 2012. His qualifications, experience and passion for community development makes him a highly valued contributor to our Board.

FIONA WIRRER-GEORGE OOCHUNYUNG Fiona Wirrer-George Oochunyung descends from the Mbaiwum/Trotj and Alngith/Liningithi Wikway Nations of Western Cape York. She is a freelance performer, educator, writer and choreographer with a Masters degree in Education majoring in School Guidance and Counselling, and a Diploma of Dance.

NICOLE SCURRAH Nicole Scurrah has worked in leadership roles in the public and private sector. She is currently PwC’s lead consultant in Queensland working across many areas of delivery in commercial and government sector engagements. Nicole has extensive experience in strategic planning, risk management, governance design, policy development and change management.

LISA SIGANTO Lisa Siganto has worked in the impact economy for almost 20 years, supporting and investing in social entrepreneurs who are changing the world. Through her consultancy, Shorebirds, she has facilitated a number of large-scale partnership projects that create social impact. She is Chair of ImpaQt Qld and is former Chair of White Box Enterprises.

DAVID STEWART David Stewart B.Sc., B.E., FIFEAust, FTSE, MAICD is a civil engineer with 35 years’ experience managing operations in the construction and mining industry, throughout Australia and internationally. He was previously Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Leighton Holdings Limited.

MATTHEW TURNER | COMPANY SECRETARY Matthew Turner is responsible for ensuring CYP’s compliance with statutory and regulatory requirements, and that the Board’s decisions are implemented.