Former Must Winebar partner Russell Blaikie has joined Prendiville Group, while Natalie Jenkins has been appointed Seesaw chair and Natasha Collier will lead West Australian Music.
Former Must Winebar partner Russell Blaikie has joined Prendiville Group, while Natalie Jenkins has been appointed Seesaw chair and Natasha Collier will lead West Australian Music.
Ms Collier joins West Australian Music as chief executive from Local Land Services in NSW, where she served as general manager.
She has spent the majority of her 28-year career in the arts and entertainment sector, previously working as chief financial officer at the Sydney Opera House and at music festival Big Day Out.
Originally from Western Australia, Ms Collier is returning home after 21 years living on the east coast.
WAM president Al Taylor said Ms Collier was well regarded for her contribution to the arts sector.
“She is a valuable advocate for the industry and a champion for innovation and transformation for organisational sustainability,” he said.
“Following the uncertainty and challenges of the past twelve to eighteen months, her insight, fresh thinking and strong advocacy will be of great benefit to our sector as it continues its recovery.”
Ms Collier's five-year contract at the industry body begins on July 1.
Online arts magazine Seesaw has also made changes to its board.
Ms Jenkins has recently been announced as chair of the magazine, replacing Shane Colquhuon.
She is the chief executive of advertising agency Block Branding and was previously executive director at Black Swan State Theatre Company of WA.
Blackwall Legal solicitor Lyle Swithenbank and City of Canning business development officer Danielle Riebe are also joining the organisation’s board, and Damburst founder and principal and Business News columnist Charlie Gunningham will be part of Seesaw’s advisory group.
Meanwhile, in the hospitality sector, Russell Blaikie has joined Prendiville Group as director of food.
Most recently, Mr Blaikie was the executive chef, general manager and partner of Must Winebar for almost two decades before closing the well-known venue in December 2020.
He has a history with the Prendiville Group, having worked as a food consultant for three years until 2015.
Mr Blaikie said he wanted to work with the group because it was a WA family business that had been developed over many years and through hard work.
Prendiville Group chair Peter Prendiville said the group started talking to Mr Blaikie after he closed Must Winebar and it became apparent his skills, experience and values were aligned to theirs.
