Screenwest appoints new CEO

Screenwest has appointed Rikki Lea Bestall as its new CEO to replace Willie Rowe after a term of 3 years.

Screenwest Chair, John Driscoll said, “The WA screen industry is poised for a period of unprecedented growth and in Rikki we have a CEO who can lead the organisation drawing on her success and well-deserved respect across the WA screen industry.”

A graduate of the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA), she has previously held various Screenwest roles including Head of Development and Production and Director of Development plus roles with Kransnoff/Foster Entertainment, Los Angeles and productions across WA, NSW, Victoria and Queensland.

“Joining Screenwest at this time presents an opportunity to work with the industry and key stakeholders to develop new areas of growth fuelled by the Government’sunprecedented commitment to the industry,” she said. “I am looking forward to meeting the challenge set out in the recently released, Screenwest Strategic Plan which outlines ambitious growth targets over the next 5 years.”

John Driscoll also said, “Willie (Rowe) has provided Screenwest with a much-needed stabilising influence during a period of unprecedented change for the organisation. We have been fortunate to have someone of Willie’s calibre leading the organisation over the past three years.”

Rikki Lea Bestall begins in May.