Janet Holmes à Court AC AO is a prominent art collector, philanthropist and board member in the not-for-profit sector and was formerly an influential business owner. She is the owner of the Janet Holmes à Court Collection which was started in the early 1960s, and grew from the family’s interest in Australian and Indigenous art. The collection consists of more than 5000 registered artworks displayed in The Holmes à Court Gallery @ no.10 (West Perth) and the Holmes à Court Gallery @ Vasse Felix winery.
Mrs Holmes à Court took control of Heytesbury, one of Australia's largest private companies, following the death of her husband Robert in 1990. She retained full ownership of the Heytesbury Group of companies until 2008 when her son, Paul Holmes à Court, assumed ownership.
She has developed interests in medical research, the arts and various charitable organisations. She has been a board member and chair at numerous organisations, including the West Australian Symphony Orchestra, the Australian National Academy of Music, the Reserve Bank of Australia, the Australian Children’s Television Foundation, and the Chamber of Arts and Culture WA. Mrs Holmes à Court was Pro-Chancellor of the University of Western Australia from 1990 to 1994, and a senate member of Murdoch University and the University of Western Australia.
In 1995, Mrs Holmes à Court was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia and promoted to a Companion of the Order of Australia in 2007 for services to business particularly as a leader in the construction, wine and cattle industries, to the advancement of Western Australia's musical and theatre culture, to the visual arts, and to the community. In 2001, she was awarded the Centenary Medal for her service to the arts as chair of the West Australian Symphony Orchestra and Black Swan Theatre Company. The National Trust of Australia has included her on its list of 100 Australian Living Treasures.
