The Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility’s (NAIF) Chief Investment Officer Amanda Copping has been officially appointed as NAIF’s Acting Chief Executive Officer.
The appointment follows the resignation of CEO Chris Wade who served in the role from January 2020.
Ms Copping is an experienced infrastructure and financial professional and has been a senior member of NAIF since 2017.
Her experience includes roles as Executive Director at the Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi, Royal Bank of Scotland and ABN AMRO and the founder of the infrastructure advisory firm SAC Capital Partners.
During Ms Copping’s time with NAIF, the organisation has delivered investment commitments worth $3.1bn across a range of key sectors to northern Australia. These projects are forecast to generate $16bn in economic impact and support more than 10,000 jobs during construction and operations.
NAIF Chair Tracey Hayes said: “On behalf of the Board, I congratulate Amanda on her appointment as Acting CEO of NAIF. As Chief Investment Officer, Amanda’s team has increased the number of NAIF’s investments, expanded the sectors supported in the northern Australian economy, enhanced NAIF’s regional footprint and accelerated projects across the investment portfolio.”
Ms Copping will remain in the role while the recruitment process for a new Chief Executive Officer is undertaken.
Ms Hayes added: “NAIF is entering an exciting period in its evolution with new tools and an extension to its mandate for a further five years. The NAIF Board thanks Mr Wade for his service to NAIF during a time of change and consolidation for the organisation.
“As NAIF commences an immediate global search for a new permanent CEO, the board and management are getting on with the job. We are focusing on the important work of adding to the $3.1 billion in funds committed to key infrastructure in northern Australia and the 100 plus projects in the pipeline.”