Saranne Cooke

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Saranne Cooke is an Australian businesswoman. A professional director, [1] her board roles include chair of Racing New South Wales and the Royal Flying Doctor Service (South Eastern Section). Cooke has held senior roles in the agribusiness, sport, education, health, aged care, finance, government, and not-for-profit sectors. In 2024, the Sydney Daily Telegraph ranked her 31st among the 100 most powerful and influential people in New South Wales.

Contents

Early life and education

Cooke was born in Condobolin, New South Wales, the eldest of four children.[ citation needed ] She grew up in Bathurst and lived for a time in the remote town of Wilcannia, where her parents worked as teachers in outback communities.[ citation needed ] She attended Kelso High Campus (formerly Kelso High School) before graduating with a Bachelor of Commerce from the Australian National University in 1995.[ citation needed ] She later completed a Master of Business (Marketing) at Charles Sturt University,[ citation needed ] a Master of Commercial Law at Deakin University,[ citation needed ] and in 2019, a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) focused on the governance of S&P/ASX200 companies. [2] [ failed verification ] [3] [ failed verification ] [4]

Career

Racing New South Wales

Cooke was appointed to the board of Racing New South Wales in 2015 by the Minister for Gaming and Racing. Racing NSW regulates and operates New South Wales' AU$3.3 billion thoroughbred racing sector. [1] She became Deputy Chair in 2019 and was elevated to Chair in 2024. [5] [6] [7] Racing NSW is the statutory authority responsible for supervising and regulating thoroughbred racing in New South Wales. During her tenure, the organisation introduced the Everest, promoted as the world’s richest turf race, expanded the Spring Carnival, invested in enhanced animal welfare programs, and significantly increased prize money across the industry. [8]

In 2021, while serving as deputy chair, she was the sole prospective buyer at an auction for a three-bedroom home adjacent to Racing NSW's Bathurst racecourse. According to the Sydney Morning Herald , Cooke "appeared as if she were any other property investor" and negotiated a price of $985,000. [9] Although she acquired the property in her name, she transferred it eight months later to Racing NSW for $1, raising questions about whether Racing NSW was insufficiently transparent in its efforts to acquire land.

The land deal was investigated by NSW Gaming and Racing Minister David Harris after it was identified by NSW MP Mark Latham. Latham questioned whether the deal met "impeccable standards of integrity" required of Racing NSW. Cooke bought the property as Racing NSW's agent under a bare trust structure and did not receive any payment for her role. According to the Sydney Morning Herald, other parties in the transaction only discovered that she was acting for Racing NSW after the sale was completed, although there was nothing illegal about the lack of disclosure or any requirement to offer this information. Racing NSW said the transaction was designed to avoid paying a higher price at auction. [1] [10]

The NSW Gaming and Racing Minister’s investigation confirmed that there was no substance to Latham’s claims with the Minister advising that his Department sought advice from Revenue NSW which confirmed the statements by Cooke and Racing NSW that the correct stamp duty was paid. [11] [ non-primary source needed ] The NSW Minister for Finance also confirmed that Racing NSW had provided all information required under the relevant revenue ruling, that no duty was avoided and the correct stamp duty was paid. [12] [ non-primary source needed ]

In 2024, Cooke gave evidence during a NSW parliamentary inquiry into the unsuccessful attempt to sell Rosehill Gardens Racecourse for redevelopment. [13] [14]

Royal Flying Doctor Service

In 2019, Cooke joined the board of the Royal Flying Doctor Service (South Eastern Section). She was appointed Deputy Chair in 2021 and Chair in 2022. [15] The organisation is recognised as the world’s largest aeromedical provider, delivering health care and emergency retrieval services across 7.69 million square kilometres of Australia. Under Cooke’s leadership, the service expanded its scope of operations, including primary health clinics, dental and mental health programs to people living in rural and remote areas. [16] [17]

Higher education

Cooke serves as Deputy Chancellor of Charles Sturt University (CSU), [18] Australia’s largest regional university and its leading provider of online tertiary education, with over 40,000 students globally. She was first appointed to the CSU Council in 2013 by the New South Wales Minister for Education. Her work has included guiding the institution through government-driven reforms in tertiary education and the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.[ citation needed ]

Other roles

Cooke is a director of Meat and Livestock Australia [19] [20] and Ageing Australia. [21] She has also served as Chair of the Australasian College of Sport and Exercise Physicians and as the inaugural Chair of the Australian Institute of Company Directors’ Western Region Committee of NSW. Her previous board appointments include HESTA Superannuation and Leading Aged Services Australia.

She is a Fellow of both CPA Australia and the Australian Institute of Company Directors.[ citation needed ]

Recognition

References

  1. 1 2 3 Barrett, Chris; McGowan, Michael (March 13, 2021). "The board member, a block beside a track and the $1 land transfer". Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 20 August 2025.
  2. ↑ Saranne Cooke, Alison Sheridan, Mark Perry, Siva Barathi Marimuthu & Mary Louise Conway (18 July 2024) “Relationships, risks and remuneration: Australian directors “doing” corporate governance”. Corporate Governance 19 March 2025; 25 (3): 496–509. https://doi.org/10.1108/CG-11-2023-0476
  3. ↑ Cooke, Dr Saranne. “The ‘Rem’ contention: ASX200 directors’ reflections” https://www.governanceinstitute.com.au/news_media/the-rem-contention-asx200-directors-reflections/ Governance Institute of Australia. Retrieved 21 August 2025
  4. ↑ “What’s keeping directors awake at night?” (1 March 2019). (https://www.aicd.com.au/risk-management/framework/plan/keeping-directors-awake.html) Australian Institute of Company Directors. Retrieved 21 August 2025
  5. ↑ Roots, Chris (2024-02-27). "Cooke steps up to become first female Racing NSW chair". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 2025-08-20.
  6. ↑ Saminos, Zoe (2024-02-27). "First woman to lead Racing NSW after controversial exit". Australian Financial Review. Retrieved 2025-08-20.
  7. ↑ Benns, Matthew (28 February 2024). "New Racing NSW chair Dr Saranne Cooke expected to pick up where predecessor Russell Balding left off". www.dailytelegraph.com.au.
  8. ↑ Racing NSW (2024) “Racing NSW: Annual Report 2024” (https://www.racingnsw.com.au/wp-content/uploads/FINAL-2024-Annual-Report-for-website-1-Nov-24.pdf) Racing NSW. Accessed 21 August 2025
  9. ↑ Barrett, Chris; McGowan, Michael (March 13, 2025). "The board member, a block beside a track and the $1 land transfer" (https://www.smh.com.au/politics/nsw/the-racing-nsw-director-a-block-beside-a-track-and-the-1-land-transfer-20250311-p5lipe.html). Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 20 August 2025
  10. ↑ O'Brien, Bren (March 31, 2025). "Racing NSW insists $1 house deal completely above board". The Straight. Retrieved 20 August 2025.
  11. ↑ NSW Government (7 March 2025) “3410 – Gaming and Racing – RACING NSW PROPERTY MANAGERS” (https://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/lc/papers/pages/qanda-tracking-details.aspx?pk=102844)
  12. ↑ NSW Government (17 March 2025) “3427 – Finance – BARE TRUSTS ARRANGEMENT REAL ESTATE PURCHASES” (https://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/lc/papers/pages/qanda-tracking-details.aspx?pk=102864)
  13. ↑ Barr, Warwick (11 September 2024). "Racing NSW chair Saranne Cooke to appear before Rosehill sale inquiry". The Straight. Retrieved 20 August 2025.
  14. ↑ Barrett, Chris (25 September 2024). "'Orwellian': Racing NSW under fire over culture and conduct". The Age. Retrieved 20 August 2025.
  15. ↑ "Governance | NSW&ACT | Royal Flying Doctor Service". www.flyingdoctor.org.au. Retrieved 2025-08-20.
  16. ↑ Australia, Flow (2023-09-14). "It's our time: country Australia stares down challenges". Flow News 24. Retrieved 2025-08-20.
  17. ↑ "RFDSSE Chair Dr Saranne Cooke discusses the year that was January 2024 | Royal Flying Doctor Service". www.flyingdoctor.org.au. Retrieved 2025-08-20.
  18. ↑ Marketing. "University Council". www.csu.edu.au. Retrieved 2025-08-20.
  19. ↑ "New MLA Directors elected at 2024 Annual General Meeting | Meat & Livestock Australia". MLA Corporate. Retrieved 2025-08-20.
  20. ↑ "Board of directors | Meat & Livestock Australia". MLA Corporate. Retrieved 2025-08-20.
  21. ↑ "Our Board of Directors | Ageing Australia". ageingaustralia.asn.au. Retrieved 2025-08-20.
  22. ↑ John, Rolfe (16 August 2024). "The 100 most powerful people in Sydney revealed". www.dailytelegraph.com.au.
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