Power, put simply, is an ability to influence, alter or control the course of events in favour of one’s interests. But this publication is far from simple. Power in Perth, and Western Australia, is wielded by a concentrated number of movers and shakers.
Similarly, the state’s wealth is controlled by those same few. The distribution of power can be gleaned from the pages of the Power 500; and how power is gained, shifted or lost can be found not only in this year’s 500 biographies but by comparing the past three editions of the publication. In WA, the scales of power are heavily weighted to the resources sector, a phenomenon underscored by the composition of the top 10 most powerful individuals.But power is not perpetual.
A state and federal election in the same year reshaped the political landscape, and not only set the direction but the tone for the next few years. Geopolitical uncertainty, commodity price volatility and a
cost-of-living crisis have tested the state’s leaders as they navigate an era of increasing complexity.
Traversing challenging times indicates a leader has perseverance. Succeeding and growing in that environment proves a leader is powerful. We live in challenging times, and it speaks volumes of the talent in WA that 85 individuals have made their debut in 2025’s Power 500 across the 19 sections.
We again include a top-10 ranking for each section, with all other profiles appearing in no order. The first profile after number 10 is not 11th place. This edition again includes the obituaries section, which provides us with an opportunity to pay homage to prominent and powerful Western Australians who have passed away since our last Power 500 publication.
These individuals would have likely graced the pages of Power 500 should this publication have been printed during the prime of their notable careers. Aside from the WA political leaders section, some of this year’s greatest shifts occurred in the resources and explorers sections, as some executives brought mines into production while others were forced to curtail operations. The evolving arts and entertainment and hospitality, tourism and sport landscapes were reflected in significant changes across these pages.
The prominence of Perth’s professional directors can also be seen, as industry experts were tapped for their expertise by businesses looking to bolster their boards. For the first time, women account for more than a quarter of the people in this book.
The Power 500 mirrors WA’s leadership landscape, but the Business News editorial team thoughtfully considers new and diverse entrants. To that effect, this editorial product is the result of tireless debate and careful curation by a dozen journalists and researchers over the course of six months, pulled together by our talented production team.
Business News is proud to present the 2025 edition of Power 500. | 
