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UWA Business School graduate and respected business leader Mark Barnaba was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Commerce by The University of Western Australia at a graduation ceremony on 15 March.

Winthrop Professor Phil Dolan, Dean, UWA Business School, congratulated Mr Barnaba on his achievement. ‘Mark is an outstanding leader in the WA business community, and we are proud to count him among our graduates,' said Professor Dolan. ‘Mark's achievements and continuing involvement with the UWA Business School are an inspiration to aspiring young entrepreneurs.'

Barnaba, who was recently appointed as Chairman of Macquarie Group, Western Australia, graduated from UWA with a Bachelor of Commerce (Honours) in 1986.

He then won a scholarship to study an MBA at Harvard Business School, before spending five years working for McKinsey in London and Sydney.

Upon returning to Perth, Barnaba co-founded advisory firm Poynton and Partners and its sister company, GEM Consulting, in 1996. Four years later, Barnaba and business partner John Poynton sold GEM Consulting to a South African company.

In 2004, Barnaba, Poynton and Rasmussen co-founded corporate advisory firm Azure Capital. Barnaba remained with Azure until early 2011, during which time he took on roles including Chairman of Western Power, Edge Employment and the West Coast Eagles, Non-Executive Director, Fortescue Metals Group, and membership of the WA Rhodes Scholarship Selection Committee. Barnaba also Chaired the steering committee for 2011's CHOGM Commonwealth Business Forum.

Upon leaving Azure early last year, Barnaba told PerthNow that ‘[the] biggest professional achievement in my career has been  the  partnership with John [Poynton] and Geoff [Rasmussen] and myself over 15 years, during which time we started  two firms that have  been successful and have become part of the fabric of this state.'

Barnaba is currently Chairman of the UWA Business School Board, a role he has filled since its inception in 2004.  In 2009 he was named WA Citizen of the Year, Industry and Commerce, by Celebrate WA.

Media references

Catherine Vogel +618 6488 7340

Verity Chia +618 6488 1346