Prominent mining figures Fiona Hick and Adrienne Parker among four new Royal Flying Doctor Service board hires

Former Fortescue chief executive Fiona Hick is among four new hires to refresh the board of the Royal Flying Doctor Service WA. Ms Hick, Liontown and NRW Holdings director Adrienne Parker, eminent employment lawyer Cheryl Chan and former Queenstown Airport boss Colin Keel start as board members of the non-profit this month. They are taking over from ophthalmologist Angus Turner, former RFDS WA chief executive Tim Shackleton, former HBF boss John van der Wielen and Rio Tinto head honcho Simon Trott. RFDS WA board chair Sam Walsh said the appointments come at a “pivotal” time for the organisation, which specialises in providing medical services to WA’s most remote regions. “These appointments reflect our focus on strong governance and ensuring RFDS WA is well positioned for the future,” he said. “Our four new board members bring a huge range of experience across aviation, infrastructure, law, governance, business and health. “The RFDS in WA plays a vital role in delivering life-saving health care across some of the most remote parts of the State and each of our new board members is bringing a commitment to the delivery of essential health services to the communities who rely upon us.” Mr Walsh, the former CEO of Rio Tinto, is also stepping down from his RFDS WA role this month with RAC boss Rob Slocombe to fill his seat. Mr Slocombe has come under fire in recent months for championing a $1.4 billion buyout of the non-profit RAC by ASX-listed Insurance Australia Group. Meanwhile, Ms Hick has added to her growing collection of board roles since abruptly leaving FMG in 2023. She was the iron ore miner’s CEO for just six months before she was out the door with a $2 million termination payment. Ms Hick currently holds non-executive directorships at Evolution Mining, Origin Energy, Dyno Nobel, Barrenjoey and Infrastructure WA.