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CEO of Fremantle Markets Natasha Atkinson has been selected as one of the 40under40 winners at
last night’s prestigious Business News awards for 2019.Established in 2002 by Business News, the 40under40 Awards program is designed to recognise
and celebrate Western Australia’s 40 leading business entrepreneurs under the age of 40.

39-year-old Ms Atkinson has worked within Australian hospitality, tourism and retail industries over the last two decades – establishing herself as an influential and productive leader worthy of a
40under40 Award.

As CEO of the Fremantle Markets, Natasha has turned it into a thriving local business giving it a
complete operational overhaul, prioritising high-quality, locally sourced goods and services.

Since becoming CEO of Fremantle Market – Atkinson has achieved the following:
• Increasing visitor numbers by 24% to 2.6M pa
• Increasing occupancy rates to 100%.
• Increasing trader numbers (294 to 1,200).
• Establishing the first online busking platform (620 buskers enrolled).
• Winning the 2013, 2014 and 2015 Fremantle Business Awards for Tourism
• Excellence, and being honoured as the 2017 Hall of Fame recipient.
• Finalist in the 2014 and 2015 WA Tourism Award.
• Establishing Australian Markets Conference in 2014

Fremantle Markets. FRESH Grilled series. Portrait of Natasha Atkinson with a Lamb & Potato Casserole.

After working for Peter Clements during the start-up phase of C Restaurant, at the encouragement
of her father Natasha started her own business; the first independent Cafe Moka in the Mandurah
Ocean Marina. Today, Cafe Moka is still operating and has become an iconic eatery in Mandurah.
Natasha was directly responsible for the success of the first farmer’s market in Perth, which became
the model for farmer’s markets in the region and the incubator for a flourishing weekend institution throughout Perth.

She has recently been elected as a Councillor for the Royal Agricultural Society of WA. In this role she aspires to assist in bringing RASWA back “into the black” and to establish profitable short-stay and sandalwood businesses on her farm in York “I didn’t follow the “traditional” University pathway to becoming a CEO. Whilst my peers were studying, I started and built a successful small business. It was incredibly hard work, emotionally and  mentally challenging, but what I learnt from five years “on the tools” coupled with the values instilled in me by my farming father laid the foundations to my success,” says Natasha Atkinson “As Fremantle Markets CEO, I showcase my diverse experience to create an award-winning environment loved by tourists and locals alike. I am extremely proud of the impact I have made to Fremantle and WA through my promotion of local businesses and the area, and my volunteering for NFP organisations,” continues Atkinson.

“Going forward, I intend to build the Fremantle Markets experience, continue advocating for WA
small business and mentor budding entrepreneurs. I hope my story can inspire other young women, showing them that you can reach executive management through non-traditional pathways,” say Natasha.