Screenwest has announced that Peter ‘Willie’ Rowe will take over in the role Chief Executive Officer of the state’s screen and film organisation for a three-year term.

Rowe stepped into the role as an Acting CEO three months ago when the organisation’s previous leader Seph McKenna unexpectedly left less than a year after he was recruited to the role. McKenna had been contracted to serve as the organisation’s leader for a five year term.

Board Chair, Janelle Marr, said the organisation was pleased the Rowe, who is also a past chair of the organisation will be permanently in the role.

“After a very comprehensive recruitment process, the Screenwest Board is pleased to secure Mr Rowe. He has extensive knowledge, management and leadership experience gained from his senior roles with Government and within the corporate, not-for-profit and arts sectors.

“The Board is confident Mr Rowe’s appointment will further strengthen the great Screenwest team and help us continue to bring world-class Western Australian stories and identity to screen, for the benefit of the community.” Marr said.

Screenwest said Rowe joins the organisation during a period of strong production growth and government support; directly through the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries, Lotterywest and the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development with the WA Regional Film Fund.

“I am excited by the challenges and opportunities that lay ahead and will focus on strengthening existing key relationships and engaging with new corporate and commercial partners to expand cross-sectoral options for the organisation,” Rowe said.

“I will continue the great work already underway to drive the next growth horizon for Screenwest under its independent not-for-profit Company Limited by Guarantee structure.”

The film agency was previously part of the Department of Culture of the Arts, but under a major restructure has been set up as an independent not-for-profit body outside of the government. The restructure saw the former funding agency absorb the functions of the long running Film and Television Institute into its operations bringing to an end that organisation’s 40 year history.

Before stepping in as the Acting CEO of Screenwest, Rowe had been the Acting CEO of the WA AIDS Council.

OIP Staff

Declaration: OUTinPerth’s Managing Editor Graeme Watson is a former staff member of the Film and Television Institute.