GESB loses another key executive

GESB's chief corporate services officer has left the fund after just one year in the role.

Anthony Cribb joined GESB last year in the newly created executive position, tasked with overseeing the GESB corporate services business unit, including legal, secretariat and governance functions, information security, records and data management, risk and compliance, IT services, and people and culture.

He had been brought on to support the fund's new strategy following changes to Western Australia's State Superannuation Act 2000, which enabled GESB to accept superannuation guarantee payments from non-public sector employers.

"While he was not looking for alternative employment and was focused on helping us deliver our runway of initiatives, he was presented with an opportunity at Hancock Energy that he accepted," a GESB spokesperson said.

Cribb joined the fund from the Pilbara Ports Authority, where he had been executive general manager of corporate affairs and governance. He also previously worked for the Australian Gas Infrastructure Group as general manager of corporate services, general counsel and company secretary.

The fund is currently recruiting for his replacement and said it hopes to make an announcement soon.

In the meantime, chief financial officer Melissa Haddleton has taken on the role on an interim basis. Acting as chief financial officer during this time will be manager, tax David Cagorski, the spokesperson confirmed.

His departure follows that of GESB's long serving chief executive, Ben Palmer.

Just last week Palmer was announced as the managing director and chief executive of the newly launched Affinity Funds Management, a subsidiary of Perth-based corporate advisory Affinity Capital Group.

Palmer was with GESB for 14 years, with close to a decade of it spent as chief executive.

GESB's chief investment officer Paul Taylor is now heading up the fund in an acting capacity while Western Australia's Public Sector Commission hunts a new chief executive.