On Tuesday 24 October the Western Rock Lobster Board elected second independent director Karen Brown to the Board.

Karen is the National Director for Perth-based strategic communications consultancy, Cannings Purple. The firm provides tailored strategies and high-level communication programs to a diverse client base across media, government, investor, employee and community audiences. WPP AUNZ is a cornerstone shareholder in Cannings Purple and part of WPP, the world’s largest communications services group.

Prior to joining Cannings Purple, Karen enjoyed a successful career in the media and worked in senior roles in both State and Federal politics. During her career in newspapers, Karen served as Deputy Editor at The West Australian and West Australian Editor at The Australian. She was the first woman to be appointed Chief of Staff at The West and worked as a correspondent covering the Gascoyne, Pilbara and Kimberley regions, reported on the Royal Commission into WA Inc, covered Indigenous Affairs and edited several features sections.

In politics, Karen worked as the Principal Policy and Communications Advisor to the Leader of the Opposition in Western Australia before serving as Chief of Staff to the Leader of the Government in the Senate and Federal Minister for Tertiary Education, Skills, Science and Research in the Gillard Government.

Karen is a Director of Rural Health Workforce Australia and EDGE Employment Solutions and a Board Member of the Women’s Law Centre and the Salvation Army Advisory Board. She has previously served on the Australian Press Council, the Murdoch Foundation, the UWA Press Advisory Board, the UWA University Club Advisory Board, the Women in Media committee and the Government House Foundation.

At the WRL Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Tuesday Chairman Kim Colero said the WRL Council have recognized the valuable input of having an independent Director on the Board.

‘We now look forward to welcoming Karen Brown as our second independent Board Director from today. Karen will be a valuable asset to our industry.’

Ms Brown commenced her one-year term as Independent Director as of the 24th of October 2017.