Kerry Stokes AC is one of WA's wealthiest and most influential business leaders. Through a network of private companies, notably Australian Capital Equity and Wroxby, he holds business interests in a diverse range of industries including broadcast and print media, property, mining, and construction equipment. ACE has a controlling stake in ASX company Seven Group Holdings, which in turn controls Seven West Media, owner of the Seven Network and West Australian Newspapers.
Mr Stokes has been a long-term backer of the Channel 7 Telethon Trust, a major WA charity, and has a keen interest in Australian art and military memorabilia.
Mr Stokes’ many board memberships have included the International Council for Museum & Television, the National Gallery of Australia and the Australian War Memorial, where he served as chair for six years.
In 1995, Mr Stokes was awarded an Officer of the Order of Australia for services to business and commerce to the arts and to the community. In 2008, he was invested as a Companion of the Order of Australia for services to business and commerce through strategic leadership and promotion of corporate social responsibility, to the arts through executive roles and philanthropy, and to the community, particularly through contributions to organisations supporting youth.
In 2020, Curtin University awarded Mr Stokes an honorary science doctorate for his significant and sustained contribution to child health research in WA.
