By XAVIER SMERDON
THE new CEO of the West’s largest advocacy group has promised to focus more on social issues like violence against women.
Craig Rowley was confirmed as the CEO of LeadWest earlier this month after Anton Mayer retired from the top job.
Mr Rowley comes from a background of both public and private enterprises and has lived in the West for over 10 years with his wife and two children.
He was also involved in corporate and community development with Stonnington Council.
It was this experience that Mr Rowley said made him want to join an organisation like LeadWest.
“With my job I would drive through Toorak and see the big mansions before driving home to the West,” he said.
“It made me think how different our communities were and how I’d like to give something back to the West.”
Mr Rowley said during his tenure as CEO of LeadWest there would be better engagement between all members of the group so that they “can see the fruits of their efforts translate into results”.
He also said there would be a renewed focus on social issues that would in turn improve the West’s financial outlook.
“When you look at issues like preventing violence against women, the investment isn’t very high, yet a reasonable amount of money can make a huge difference to people’s lives,” he said.
“If we can make a difference in some of these areas then we can increase people’s opportunities to participate.”
Mr Rowley also said that while Maribyrnong Council had signalled that they were planning on leaving LeadWest, they would still be members for another two years.
He said he could see potential that the council would change its mind in that time and remain members of LeadWest.
