Ian Cochrane, one of Perth’s most respected corporate lawyers and company directors, has passed away. Aged just 67 years, Mr Cochrane had been battling cancer for nearly two years.
Ian Cochrane, one of Perth’s most respected corporate lawyers and company directors, has passed away.
Aged just 67 years, Mr Cochrane had been battling cancer for nearly two years.
He has been fondly remembered by many people for his integrity, his care for his family, his friendship and sense of fun, particularly his love of rugby, fishing, food and wine.
Many of those things came together at his holiday home at Augusta, where the sun rises over the ocean to the east.
That reminded Ian of his upbringing at Durban, on South Africa’s east coast.
As a corporate lawyer, Ian worked for two national firms before playing a lead role in building one of Perth’s most successful boutique practices, Cochrane Lishman Carson Luscombe.
It was held in such high regard, it was bought by one of London’s prestigious ‘magic circle’ firms, Clifford Chance.
He chaired several prominent companies, including ASX-listed Perenti and Dacian Gold and private companies including Wright Prospecting and Ardross Group.
Ian also made an enormous contribution to the West Australian Ballet, where he was a director for the maximum tenure of nine years.
Chair Sherry Duhe said he contributed as a director, adviser and fundraiser.
“The whole of the West Australian Ballet family send condolences to the family and friends of Ian on his sad passing this weekend," she said.
"Ian's contribution to West Australian Ballet and the arts in WA was immense.
“From a decade-long tenure on the West Australian Ballet board, significant leadership in fundraising for our Maylands ballet centre, countless pro-bono legal advice, support both behind-the-scenes and in the audience, Ian was an Honorary Life Member and his enduring positivity and friendly words of wisdom will be sorely missed."
Lawyer Michael Lishman partnered with Ian to establish Cochrane Lishman.
“He was an outstanding lawyer, a true friend and will be greatly missed by many people,” Mr Lishman said.
“He was a great guy to be in partnership with.”
Lawyer Philip Wilson became a close friend after working with Mr Cochrane earlier in his career at Keall Brinsden, which became Corrs Chambers Westgarth.
“He was a great lawyer who really built up our corporate practice,” Mr Wilson recalled.
“He was larger than life and great fun.”
Perenti managing director Mark Norwell said he remembered Mr Cochrane for his strength and resolve, and his absolute integrity.
He highlighted Mr Cochrane’s role in bringing together mining contractors Ausdrill and Barminco to form Perenti.
“That came down to Ian’s resolve to bring together two iconic brands in WA mining,” Mr Norwell said.
Mr Cochrane brought to that task a long relationship as a business adviser to company founders Ron Sayers and Peter Bartlett.
Mr Cochrane grew up in South Africa and his friends recalled his devotion to the Springboks.
“He always supported the Wallabies except when they played the Springboks,” Mr Lishman said.
Mr Cochrane also contributed to hockey, through Ausdrill’s long-running sponsorship of the Hockeyroos.
Hockey WA president Michael Henderson, who is also a WA Ballet director, described Mr Cochrane as an amazing person.
“He was passionate and a driving force behind the WA Ballet over many years and equally passionate about sport,” Mr Henderson said.
“Hockey in Australia and the Hockeyroos in particular benefited enormously from his support.”
Mr Cochrane completed his legal studies at the University of Natal in Durban.
He migrated in 1986 with his wife Rosana and their young daughters.
Ian joined Keall Brinsden and soon after was made partner.
His notable engagements included advising the directors of state-owned Bankwest on the sale to Bank of Scotland.
In 2000, he moved to King & Wood Mallesons, where he stayed for five years.
At the start of 2006, he and Mr Lishman established their own firm.
The firm expanded substantially over the next few years and changed it name to Cochrane Lishman Carson Luscombe to reflect its expanded partnership.
It was acquired by Clifford Chance in 2011.
Mr Cochrane left legal practice in 2013, after which he built a suite of board roles.
He was a director of ASX-listed Perenti (formerly known as Ausdrill).
He became chair of Perenti in 2017 and served in that capacity until retiring in May this year.
Mr Cochrane was a director of ASX-listed Dacian Gold for five years and had been chair for the past year.
He was also a director of some of WA’s largest but low-profile private companies.
These included Harry Hofmann’s property company Ardross Group, where he had been a director since 2014.
Ian was chair of VOC Group from 2012 to 2020.
VOC was established by iron ore magnate, the late Michael Wright, and is now owned by his daughters Leonie Baldock and Alexandra Burt.
In addition, he served for five years as chair of Wright Prospecting – jointly owned by VOC Group and AMB Holdings, the family company of Angela Bennett.
He is survived by his wife Rosana, his daughters Kelly and Kate and three grandchildren.
