New Executive Director Health and Safety at WorkSafe Victoria

Following an extensive search process, Cath Bowtell has been appointed as WorkSafe Victoria’s Executive Director Health and Safety. Bowtell joins WorkSafe from the Australian Council for Trade Unions, where she was responsible for the management of social, economic and industrial policies.

WorkSafe’s Chief Executive, Greg Tweedly, said Bowtell would bring a wealth of experience to the task of keeping Victorian workplaces the safest in Australia: “At the same time, Cath will reinforce our efforts to play a significant role in the harmonisation of national workplace health and safety laws, which includes the adoption of many features of Victoria’s Occupational Health and Safety Act.

“Cath’s work involved detailed negotiations and developing an understanding of complex issues enabling the establishment of a strong network of stakeholders across federal and state Governments and peak employer bodies and unions. These are essential skills in such a senior position and will help maintain WorkSafe’s position as Australia’s peak workplace health and safety regulator.”

Bowtell has also been a board director and a member of a number of research and consultative committees for superannuation, government and education institutions and she holds a Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Laws.

Bowtell begins at WorkSafe in June, replacing John Merritt who is now Chief Executive of the Environment Protection Authority.