Your Board members
The role of the LGIS Board is to provide overall strategic direction and take governance responsibility for achieving the projects and interests of the Scheme and its members.
WALGA appoints the LGIS Board to provide strategic direction and governance for the member-owned mutual indemnity scheme, which serves Local Government across WA.
Cr Chappel is WALGA President. She was elected to the Shire of Morawa in 2005, and has served as President since 2009.
She is a WALGA Life Member and was appointed twice by the then Minister for Local Government to a mentoring team for Elected Members to guide good governance and sound decision making. Cr Chappel was formerly a member of the Local Government Advisory Board, and currently represents Local Governments on the State Road Funds to Local Government Advisory Committee and the Mid West Development Commission.
Mr Nick Sloan - WALGA CEO
Nick's extensive experience at executive level in state government includes roles across regional and metropolitan Western Australia. During this time, Nick has managed complex policy agendas at both state and local government level. Most recently Nick was the Executive Director, Planning and Service Delivery at the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries. Nick has wide-ranging board experience previously serving as Deputy Chair on the Western Australian Local Government Grants Commission and Board member of the Western Australian Institute of Sport.
Mary is a senior legal practitioner with experience in the private and public sectors, having held roles at the University of Western Australia and Jackson McDonald Lawyers. She has also advised on legal and policy matters as Principle Policy Officer to the Minister for Health, and as Director Legal and Policy with the Australian Medical Association. Mary has served on a number of committees for legislative reviews and reform, and is currently a non-executive director of HBF Limited, Chair of MercyCare Limited, and Chair of Central Regional Tafe.
President Chris Antonio- Shire of Northam
Chris is the President of the Shire of Northam, a role he was first elected to in 2017. Chris has extensive experience in Local Government, serving as a WALGA State Councillor, chair of the Avon-Midland Cone of Councils, chair of the Local Emergency Management Committee, and Shire Councillor since 2015. Chris has over 20 years of experience in Agribusiness Finance, having worked with a major Australian Bank as a specialist. Chris has almost 40 years of experience within his family Farming Operation and is now the CFO of this Agribusiness.
Chris has also worked for more than a decade as a sessional lecturer specialising in Agribusiness Business Planning and Risk Management. Chris holds a Bachelor of Business (Agribusiness), is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, and holds various Diplomas, or Graduate Diplomas in Local Government, Financial Planning, and Business Frontline Management. Chris also serves on a range of community boards, including the Avon Community Development Foundation.
Mr John Pearson - City of Rockingham
John is the Director Corporate Services at the City of Rockingham, a position he has held for over 10 years. He has held positions as Chief Executive Officer and Executive Manager at the Shire of Derby/West Kimberly and commenced his career at the Shire of Halls Creek. John leads a complex team in delivering services to over 140,000 residents and has extensive strategic leadership experience in both regional and rapid growth outer metropolitan local governments.
Ben has been appointed as the new LGIS Director representing Non-metropolitan Officers. Ben is currently Chief Executive Officer of the Shire of Manjimup. He has over 15 years experience in WA metropolitan and regional Local Governments of varying sizes. He has also served in executive professional roles across State Government, the private sector and UK Local Government.
Cr Paul Kelly - Town of Claremont
Joining the LGIS Board again in May 2020 Cr Kelly previous experience as board member and chairperson of the LGIS Board during the global financial crisis makes him a valuable addition. His local government expertise includes periods on the WALGA Finance and Services Committee, WALGA deputy president, WALGA Development Trust chairperson, WALGA state councillor and Metropolitan Regional Council deputy chairperson and councillor. He has been a councillor at the City of Claremont since 1995, served as deputy mayor for a decade and made a life member of WALGA for his services to the association. Cr Kelly is executive director of the Economic Regulation Authority, has considerable experience as a senior executive and board member, and is a fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Ms Sarah Van Gent - Independent Director
Sarah is an experienced and accomplished Board Director and finance professional. Sarah has served on a range of Boards, including as Chairperson of the Women's Legal Service WA. Sarah was recently appointed as the Chief Financial Officer and Company Secretary of SensesWA. Prior to this, Sarah was a Director at EY, where she was responsible for managing audits, including of mutual schemes and other finance and insurance sector entities.
Sarah is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and is a current member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants, among other qualifications