The Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research welcomes the appointment of The Hon Ben Morton as Chair of the Board with John Barrington AM having concluded his tenure at the end of June.
Ben is a former Australian Government Minister, holding the portfolios of Minister Assisting the Prime Minister and Cabinet, Minister for the Public Service, and Special Minister of State under former Prime Minister Scott Morrison.
Before entering Federal Parliament, Ben worked for Western Australian building and building supply company BGC following his tenure as CEO of the Liberal Party of Australia (WA Division) between 2008 and 2015.
In addition to his role as Chair of the Perkins Ben holds a variety of other non-executive board positions including inaugural Chairman of the Perth Bears Rugby League Football Club, Commissioner of the Insurance Commission of Western Australia, Director of the Southern Ports Authority and Director of Celebrate WA.
“I sincerely thank John Barrington for his leadership and commitment to the Perkins as a Director and Chair,” said Mr Morton.
“I’ve greatly enjoyed serving as a Director of the Perkins under John’s leadership and l look forward to serving the Perkins further as Board Chair.
“I intend to continue the planning for the Perkins WA Comprehensive Cancer Centre which will transform cancer care and research in the State, delivering a genuine comprehensive cancer centre to the community as is seen in other states and internationally.
“I am committed to the Perkins having lost my mother Linda to cancer in 2015 and my father Trevor who lives with heart disease.”
Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Perkins, Professor Peter Leedman AO welcomed Ben’s appointment as Chair, working with him to continue strengthening the Perkins’ and WA’s position at the forefront of medical research. He also thanked outgoing Chair, John Barrington AM, acknowledging his strong leadership and support in the role.
“We are honoured to have Ben Morton as Chair of the Perkins board. His wealth of knowledge and experience will be invaluable as we move towards realising the Perkins WA Comprehensive Cancer Centre, connecting WA to a national network of world-class cancer treatment centres, a key objective of the National Cancer Plan,” he said.
“On behalf of the Board and our executive team, I would also like to thank John for his exceptional leadership, tireless service and dedication to the mission of the Perkins.
“Since taking on the Chair in 2022, following three years as a board member, John has helped steer the Perkins through a period of significant growth and achievement and helped set us up for a strong future that will transform medical research and health care in the State.”
In addition to driving the Perkins WA Comprehensive Cancer Centre business plan project, as Chair, John Barrington helped the Perkins expand its global collaborations, accelerate its research into cancer, cardiovascular disease, rare genetic disorders and metabolic diseases, make strides towards elevating WA’s global standing as a medical research leader and strengthen its engagement with industry and the wider community.
