Ben Wyatt

Independent Non-Executive Director at Rio Tinto

Ben has had a prolific career in the Western Australian Parliament, holding the ministerial portfolios of Treasury, Finance, Energy and Aboriginal Affairs, and becoming the first Indigenous treasurer of any Australian parliament. His extensive knowledge of public policy, finance, international trade and Indigenous affairs brings valuable insight and adds to the depth of knowledge on the Board. He retired from the Western Australian Parliament in March 2021.

Ben’s career commenced in law, initially as a barrister and solicitor with a major national Australian law firm followed by the role of counsel to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions for Western Australia. Of Yamatji heritage, Ben also served on the National Board of Indigenous Business Australia and as an officer in the Australian Army after graduating from the Royal Military College, Duntroon. Ben holds a Bachelor of Laws from the University of Western Australia and a Masters of Science with Distinction from the London School of Economics.

In 2021, Ben was named Non-Executive Director of Woodside Petroleum Ltd.

Timeline

  • Independent Non-Executive Director

    Current role