Executive Management Team

The day to day running of the Shire is the responsibility of the Chief Executive Officer, who, along with Executive Team and staff, act on the Council's decisions by developing and putting into practice the Council policies and resolutions.

Vernon Lawrence

Chief Executive Officer 

Vernon Lawrence is the Chief Executive Officer

Vernon is a Chartered Accountant by profession. He has a varied work experience that includes working in professional services for Deloittes in Taxation Services, working for the South African Revenue Services, being the managing director and shareholder of a privately owned business in the transport service industry and having local government experience. Vernon has extensive experience in financial management, long term financial planning and risk. He plans to ensure that the Shire is on a sound financial footing, has properly planned for the ongoing funding of the asset management plans and takes the opportunity to make use of information technology to improve effectiveness and efficiency of Shire processes.

Qualifications

Bachelor of Commerce

Bachelor of Accounting

Higher Diploma in Tax Law

Professional Memberships

South African Institute of Chartered Accountants

Nick Allen

Chief Operating Officer

Nick Allen is the Chief Operating Officer at the Shire of Wyndham East Kimberley, providing strategic and operational leadership across a diverse portfolio that includes infrastructure, major projects, planning and regulatory services, community development and frontline service delivery.

Nick has a strong focus on turning strategy into practical outcomes for the community. His role includes overseeing the planning and delivery of major infrastructure and capital projects, asset and operational services, project readiness and governance, as well as the Shire’s planning, building, environmental health, community, recreation and property functions.

Working across one of Western Australia’s most remote and geographically diverse local government areas, Nick is particularly focused on ensuring projects are well planned, appropriately funded and capable of being successfully delivered. This includes strengthening the connection between the Shire’s strategic planning, Corporate Business Plan, external funding opportunities and on-the-ground delivery.

Nick works closely with government agencies, community organisations, ACO’s, businesses and funding partners to progress projects and services that respond to the needs of communities across the East Kimberley.

His approach to leadership is practical and collaborative, with an emphasis on supporting staff, improving organisational systems and ensuring the Shire can deliver sustainable infrastructure and services despite the challenges associated with operating in a remote regional environment.

As Chief Operating Officer, Nick is also responsible for ensuring the Shire's operational areas work collectively rather than in isolation, helping to coordinate infrastructure, community, regulatory and project functions to achieve broader organisational and community outcomes.

Stuart Dyson

Executive Manager Strategy and Grants

Gary Wright

Executive Manager Airports

Wendy Tapper

Executive Manager Human Resources and Safety

MHR, GradCert Occupational Health, and Safety

Joining the Shire in November 2022, Wendy was appointed to an executive role in 2025.  Wendy holds a master’s in human resource management and has over 25 years’ experience leading People & Culture, Safety and People Risk Teams across education, disability, community services and local government. She is known for building supportive values based, high performing workplaces, ensuring teams feel connected to purpose.  

Wendy describes her leadership style as being based on authenticity, accountability and engagement.   Wendy has extensive experience working with leadership teams and Boards and has successfully led several significant organisational change management initiatives across both large and small organisations, helping teams grow through times of change and making sure services stay strong and sustainable.  .  She is an effective leader known for her collaborative leadership style and belief that organisations work best when people feel valued, respected and share a common purpose.