Richard Muirhead is new CEO of Dept of Commerce & Trade

11/11/97

Mr Richard Muirhead is the new chief executive officer of the Department of Commerce and Trade.

Announcing the appointment, Commerce and Trade Minister Hendy Cowan said Western Australia's manufacturing and services industries were increasingly focussing on developing export markets, especially in Asia.

"Recent currency and share market upheavals in the region have added a new dimension to this challenge," Mr Cowan said.

"The department will need to work closely with industry to ensure continued investment growth and export expansion.

"Mr Muirhead's depth of experience and his recent involvement in restructuring the Department of Commerce and Trade's activities, leave him well suited to this task."

Richard Muirhead has been acting chief executive officer of the Department of Commerce and Trade since July this year.

He has worked in the department or its predecessors since 1987, including two years in London as Director of Trade and Investment of the Western Australian Government's European Office.

Prior to this he worked in private sector market research and marketing firms for 14 years.

Mr Muirhead is 44 years old, has two teenage children and is a keen surfer in his spare time.

As well as its industry and export development and investment attraction activities, the Department of Commerce and Trade has responsibilities for regional development and Aboriginal economic development.

It is also the WA Government's lead agency in policy areas including information and communications, science and technology and industry infrastructure development.

Media Enquiries: Peter Jackson (Minister's office) 9222 9595

Steve Keogh (DCT) 9327-5666