Meet Our CEO - Scott (Scotty) Simpson
When Scotty Simpson ventured into the Northern Territory 32 years ago, he was a young man from Ballarat, Victoria, drawn by the allure of remote landscapes and uncharted wilderness. Today, he stands at the helm of one of Australia's most innovative and community-focused enterprises. As CEO of the non-profit organisation Tiwi Enterprises, Scotty's latest mission is to guide Sea Darwin - Sea Tiwi toward a future where sustainable tourism and cultural appreciation intertwine seamlessly.
Scotty's love affair with the NT began at the renowned Wildman River Wilderness Lodge, where his career in eco-tourism took hold. From his early days as a humble yard hand to becoming a skilled Kakadu land-based and fishing guide, Scotty developed a profound respect for the land, sea, and the people who called the region home.
As his career progressed, Scotty found himself taking on various management roles. One significant stint involved overseeing the Mt Bundy live firing range, where his responsibilities included land rehabilitation and fire management. This role revealed his innate passion for environmental stewardship.
However, it was a pivotal sea change that truly shaped his career trajectory. Scotty took on the lease at Dundee Lodge, 40 kms out of Darwin, which led to a sales role with Lion Nathan. It was here that he transitioned into sustainability, working on impactful projects in Brewarrina, NSW, and the Tiwi Islands. This chapter ignited his love and respect for the Tiwi Islands and its people.
Over the next ten years, Scotty played various roles directly and indirectly with the Tiwi People. This period provided him with an intimate understanding of Tiwi culture and kinship. During the global pandemic, an opportunity arose that felt like his destiny: to become the CEO of Tiwi Enterprises.
Scotty saw this opportunity as a chance to leverage his passion to contribute meaningfully to the Tiwi people and to drive tourism to the Tiwi Islands. His goal was clear—to maintain and expand employment opportunities within Tiwi Enterprises and to create a platform for launching sustainable tourism experiences. Conversations with the Tiwi Enterprise Directors confirmed the community's desire to introduce tourism on their country, stimulating economic growth and creating job opportunities.
Under Scotty's leadership, Tiwi Enterprises has experienced significant growth in employment, increasing from 27 to 69 employees, with 35 of them being Indigenous. Scotty's strength lies in his ability to bridge the gap between the Directors' aspirations and their realisation.
The idea to purchase Sea Darwin came after a fortuitous meeting with the company’s previous owner, Jim Smith. Scotty instantly recognized that this was the ideal platform to expand employment opportunities for the Tiwi people and launch eco-tourism on the Tiwi Islands. His strategic vision was to integrate and expand an established successful marine eco-tourism business.
Almost 12 months after the launch of Sea Darwin-Sea Tiwi, Scotty's passion for guiding successful sustainable tourism products that benefit the Tiwi People remains unwavering. His leadership at Tiwi Enterprises is not just about business growth; it's about fostering self-reliance, creating job opportunities, and preserving the rich cultural heritage of the Tiwi People. Through his efforts, Scotty is ensuring that the future of the Tiwi Islands remains firmly in Tiwi hands. Under his leadership, Sea Darwin-Sea Tiwi is not just a business; it's a platform for delivering iconic eco-tourism experiences, cultural exchange, and environmental education.
We warmly invite you to stay tuned for updates on Scotty’s ongoing journey as he continues to guide Sea Darwin-Sea Tiwi’s reputable eco-tourism experiences. His commitment to sustainable tourism growth in the Tiwi Islands remains steadfast, and we are excited that 2025 will be the pivotal year in which the eco-tourism aspirations of the Tiwi Enterprise Directors will be realised.
For more information about our sustainability initiatives read our new Sea Darwin - Sea Tiwi's Environmental Policy.