Powerful Women: Kerry Sanderson

Kerry Sanderson has been an employee of Fremantle ports for almost 17 years and in that time her vision to improve the operational efficiency of the ports has become a reality. Since being appointed chief executive officer (CEO) Kerry’s leadership has steered the organisation through many major changes that have resulted in Fremantle ports winning numerus business awards. Such as the Australian business Excellence award.

Currently Kerry has a vision to deepen the ports, because container ship sizes have increased almost 70% since the early 1990s some ships won’t be able to fit in the harbour so the trade needs of many wont be met. She also has a vision to build additional general cargo port facilities in the outer harbour; this will take the overflow trade once the inner harbour reaches its maximum capacity. Both these visions are realistic and are good goals for the company to work towards.

Under her leadership, Fremantle Ports has developed an extensive program of consultation with local government and the community which is helping to build trust and support. As CEO of Fremantle ports Kerry has surpassed any expectations the company had. Fremantle ports generates 1% of WA’s employment and almost 1% of the gross state product. While CEO Kerry has established environmental management as a top priority, along with social and recreational issues within the community such as swimming competitions, yacht races, ect. She believes that Fremantle ports is driven by its values, values for its employees, there customers and the community. Through Kerry’s leadership Fremantle ports created the sustainability goal, this goal indicates that they will met the needs of there customers, both now and in the future, and they wish to be valued by the community for there economic, environmental and social contributes.

Kerry’s work with Fremantle ports has not been unrecognised, in 1996 she received the Telstra WA business woman of the year award, in 2004 was named an officer of the order of Australia and in February 2005 was awarded an honorary doctorate by the university of Western Australia. While Kerry was CEO of Fremantle ports it became the first organisation in Western Australia to receive a Gold Award in Australian business excellence, and Kerry was recognised for her leadership skills. Also won the People category award for best practice in human resource management and in 2005 received the shipping and transport award.

Over the years Kerry’s spent working at Fremantle ports her leadership skills have developed and she’s found better ways to communicate with people and motivate them to achieve there full potential.