Michael Parker, Fremantle Ports CEO, dies at work

The CEO of Western Australia’s biggest general cargo port died suddenly at his desk.

Fremantle Ports chief executive Michael Parker died at the company’s headquarters shortly after 9am on Wednesday morning.

He leaves behind his wife, Wendy, and four children.

Mr Parker joined Fremantle Ports in 2021 where he earned $523,000 a year.

He previously spent 26 years in senior roles at US-owned bauxite and aluminium company, Alcoa.

He left the company between in March 2020.

Fremantle Ports, owned by Western Australian Government, confirmed the shock death on Wednesday afternoon.

‘While at the helm of Fremantle Ports, Mr Parker was a dynamic and engaging leader who was extremely well-liked by staff throughout the organisation,’ it said, The West reported.

‘Mr Parker was deeply committed to the safety and wellbeing of all people and led the way in his demonstration of these values.’

On his LinkedIn page, Mr Parker attributed his success to his ‘passion for people and empowering performance’.

‘Using an approachable, hands-on and fiercely non-hierarchical leadership style, I build sustainable, high-performing teams by encouraging and championing diversity in hires, thoughts, ideas and perspectives,’ he said.

Mr Parker earned a Bachelor of International Business from Queensland’s Griffith University in 1991.