Board

Appointed to the Board on 1 September 2021, Darren Cooper has more than 20 years’ experience in the property industry. He is currently Managing Director of his own consulting business and holds a number of Board and strategic advisory positions across property, training and labour hire, technology and e-commerce organisations.

He is a Past President and Life Member of the Urban Development Institute of Australia (UDIA) in Western Australia and a Past President of UDIA National.

Darren is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and has a Bachelor of Business and Masters of Applied Finance.

Rebecca Field was appointed to the Board on 1 January 2018 and was appointed Deputy Chairperson on 16 October 2019. Rebecca is the Chairperson of the Board’s Governance and Remuneration Committee and a member of the Audit and Risk Management Committee.

She is a partner at Corrs Chambers Westgarth. Known for her combination of excellent technical ability, good commercial sense and strategic thinking, Rebecca advises clients on the legal, strategic and risk management issues associated with property development and redevelopment projects and the sale, acquisition and leasing of large commercial, retail, industrial, pastoral, agricultural and tourism assets. Rebecca also has many years’ experience in property and development finance, and is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Jane Bennett was appointed to the Board on 1 January 2018. Jane is Chairperson of the Central Perth, Midland and Scarborough Land Redevelopment Committees and member of the Armadale and Subiaco Land Redevelopment Committees.

With extensive experience as a practising town planner in local government and private practice, she has been instrumental in the planning and delivery of major residential, commercial and industrial projects in Western Australia, as well as major government and institutional projects. Jane is a strong advocate for, and actively involved in, the planning reform agenda. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Urban and Regional Planning, a Masters in Business Administration and is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. Jane was made a Fellow of the Planning Institute of Australia in 2015 for her contribution to planning.

Jane is an owner and Director at CLE Town Planning and Design and is a member of the Western Australian Planning Commission. Jane is a UDIA WA Councillor and Chair of the Planning Committee.

Simon Reed was appointed to the WALA Board on 16 October 2019 and MRA Board on 1 January 2020. Simon is a member of Board’s Audit and Risk Management Committee and the Governance and Remuneration Committee.

Simon is also head of the Perth Corporate Group for law firm Herbert Smith Freehills. Simon has over 20 years of experience as a corporate lawyer, advising both listed and private companies as well as government and statutory bodies. Simon specialises in governance matters, mergers and acquisitions, capital markets and corporate reconstructions. He has acted for clients in a range of sectors including mining, energy, financial services, manufacturing and property. Simon has strong relationships with key stakeholders in the Australian corporate regulatory landscape.

Simon holds a Bachelor of Laws with honours and a Bachelor of Economics. Simon also holds a Graduate Diploma of Applied Finance and Investment (corporate finance major) from FINSIA. He was previously a Board member for WA Music.

Jo Gaines was appointed to the Board on 1 March 2022 and is a member of the Central Perth Land Redevelopment Committee.

Jo is an experienced organisational leader and strategic policy director operating at the highest level of government in Australia and was the Deputy Chief of Staff to Mark McGowan, the Premier of Western Australia and Leader of the Opposition.

Jo has led significant policy development affecting the economic and social fabric of Western Australia and has extensive experience in intergovernmental negotiations and stakeholder engagement. This includes in a diverse range of fields including job creation, economic diversification, energy, training, child protection, health, contracting and procurement, and climate change.

Jo is the Chair of GESB and Executive Director of Gaines Advisory. She is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and holds a Bachelor of Arts and a Post Graduate Diploma in Occupational Health and Safety.