Cook moves up at Arc

Murray Cook will take the reins at freight rail network operator Arc Infrastructure early next year as chief executive Paul Larsen steps aside after 12 years in the role.

Arc, formerly known as Brookfield Rail, runs railways linking locations such as Bunbury, Geraldton, Kalgoorlie to Perth.

Mr Cook is executive director at Arc, and has been involved in the organisation for 10 years.

He worked at parent company Brookfield Infrastructure Group Australia for two years as vice president of operations.

“It is an exciting time for our business and our people and I look forward to continuing to build on the outstanding legacy that Paul leaves by continuing to pursue the growth projects Arc has been focused on in recent times,” Mr Cook said.

“One of our biggest assets is the knowledge and experience of our people and one of my focuses next year will be looking at how we can utlise this, coupled with the data we are gathering and analysing, to continuously improve our operations and asset management.”

Mr Larsen will depart as chief executive at the end of 2019, and remain on the company’s board until March 2021.

He will also continue on the boards of Youth Focus and Kimberley Ports Authority.

It comes just weeks after Arc emerged victorious in a long battle over usage of Tier 3 rail lines in the Wheatbelt.

An independent arbitration panel confirmed a 2009 decision to close the lines, as they were uneconomical.

Mr Larsen’s tenure also included a modernisation of the network, with about $2 billion invested over the past 20 years, and collaboration to explore offering feasibility of broadband services in the bush.