PORTS Australia is welcoming TasPorts CEO Anthony Donald as the newest deputy chair to the board of directors, while farewelling the outgoing deputy, Chris Leatt-Hayter who retired from his role as CEO at Fremantle Ports in late 2020.

Mr Donald joined TasPorts as chief operating officer in early 2016. In June 2019 he was appointed CEO, following eight months in the role of acting CEO.

In a statement, Ports Australia said Mr Donald is highly experienced in the maritime, transport and logistics sectors, and holds a degree in civil engineering. Prior to joining TasPorts, Mr Donald held several senior executive positions at the Port of Melbourne and Melbourne Airport.

Mr Leatt-Hayter has been widely acknowledged by the industry for his two decades of service to Fremantle Ports, 12 of those years he spent in the CEO role and as a director on Ports Australia’s board.

Mr Donald will be joining Marika Calfas (NSW Ports CEO) in the deputy chair role, which is integral to the function of Ports Australia in its member services and advocacy.

Ports Australia’s chair, Flinders Port Holdings CEO Stewart Lammin, said he is looking forward to working alongside Mr Donald.

“I’m delighted to welcome Anthony Donald as Ports Australia’s newest deputy chair; I have no doubt he’ll fill the big boots left after Chris Leatt-Hayter’s retirement from Ports Australia,” Mr Lammin said.

“There’s no shortage of opportunities and challenges facing our sector right now which makes Ports Australia’s direction more important than ever, and I know Anthony will be strong in spearheading that direction along with the rest of the Board.”

Ports Australia CEO Mike Gallacher spoke on the importance of the deputy chair’s role to Ports Australia and welcomed Anthony Donald.

“Ports Australia’s advocacy relies heavily on the wealth of expertise which forms our membership, which is led and driven by the chair and deputy chairs,” he said.

“It will be exciting to work with Anthony Donald and see how he brings his unique experience to the role of Deputy Chair on Ports Australia’s Board.”

Mr Gallacher also farewelled Mr Leatt-Hayter and wished him well in retirement. “The Ports Australia team have always enjoyed working with Chris Leatt-Hayter … I was lucky to build a strong relationship with Chris over the years as a professional colleague and friend and I can only thank him for his time contributing to the work of Ports Australia,” Mr Gallacher said.