Archived News for Executives and Senior Management - February, 2012

The Australian Bureau of Agricultural Resource Economics (ABARES) has appointed long serving public servant Paul Morris as the new Executive Director of the bureau.

Business technology specialist ComOps has announced the appointment of two new independent non-executive board directors.

The Australian Human Rights Commission will appoint a new President, following the decision by Catherine Branson to step down 15 months before the expiry of her five-year term.

WorkSafe Victoria is looking to appoint a new Chief Executive, following the resignation of Greg Tweedly earlier this month after the Victorian Government announced it would strip $470 million over four years from its budget to bolster general revenue.

 The CEO of Yarra City Council Dr Andi Diamond has stepped down four months after signing a new five-year contract having been appointed chief executive at Monash City Council.

Dr Diamond, who has worked at Yarra City Council for five years, overseeing around 850 staff, will leave the position on April 6. Dr Diamond has worked at the council for four years, overseeing about 850 staff.

Mayor Geoff Barbour said Dr Diamond’s departure would be a loss for Yarra but he wished her well for the next stage of her career in Local Government.

“I know I speak for all Councillors and staff when I say Yarra City Council will sincerely miss Andi who has been an inspiring and dedicated leader of the organisation,” Cr Barbour said.

“Andi’s passion and commitment to Yarra, coupled with her Local Government expertise, exceptional people skills and understanding of community needs have been invaluable to Yarra.”

Cr Barbour said since joining Yarra in 2008, Dr Diamond had been instrumental in leading many of Yarra’s major achievements including Council’s approach to customer responsiveness, advocacy, investing in community infrastructure, strengthening Council’s financial position and working towards a sustainable community.

Just a few of the major projects under Dr Diamond’s direction have been the redevelopment of Victoria Park and the Collingwood Leisure Centre, and purchasing land to build a new library and community hub in North Fitzroy.

The Federal Government has announced it will be introducing reforms to further strengthen the country’s executive remuneration framework.

Consultancy giant Coffey has announced the appointments of Leeane Bond and Guy Cowan as the company’s new Non-executive Directors, taking effect from 27 February. The announcement comes as Charles Jamieson and Stephen Williams plan to step down from their positions.

Institutional investment manager QIC has appointed Damien Frawley as CEO to succeed Doug McTaggart who announced late last year his intended retirement in mid 2012.

The Queensland Government has appointed Crown Prosecutor Ross Martin SC as the new chair of the Crime and Misconduct Commission (CMC).

Mr Martin will commence in the role from 5 March 2012.

Attorney-General Paul Lucas said Mr Martin brings close to 30 years legal experience to the CMC following a distinguished career with the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions where he has most recently been Deputy Director.

“Highly regarded by the legal profession he has led prosecutions for some of Queensland’s most high profiled criminal trials including against Dr Jayant Patel and former Minister Gordon Nuttall.

“Known as a fearless prosecutor and tireless, Mr Martin has the qualities needed to head the CMC.”

Mr Lucas said the appointment followed the resignation of former Chairperson, Mr Martin Moynihan AO QC, which became effective on 18 November 2011.

“As required by the Crime and Misconduct Act, the Parliamentary Crime and Misconduct Committee’s bipartisan support was sought for the appointment. The Committee unanimously felt Mr Martin was the right choice to lead CMC,” Mr Lucas said.

“The CMC has a vital role in investigating and combating major crime and maintaining integrity and proper standards across the public sector.

“Mr Martin has demonstrated personal integrity throughout his career and understands the importance placed on the CMC to maintain confidence in our public sector.”

Mr Lucas also thanked former CMC chair Martin Moynihan for his years of service.

“Mr Moynihan undertook his role as Chair with diligence and dedication, and has been at the helm for many milestones of the CMC,” he said.
 
”I thank him for his service and wish him and his family the best for the future.

“I would also like to thank Warren Strange who has acted as Chairperson of the CMC over the last few months.”

Queensland Rail is recruiting a new CEO following the resignation last November of Paul Scurrah who left to join QR National as Executive Vice President, Commercial and Marketing.

News Corporation has announced Hamish McLennan as the company’s new Executive Vice President, Office of the Chairman.

Business convention specialist Business Events Sydney’s (BESydney) Chairman, Col Hughes, has announced Lyn Lews-Smith as the company’s new Chief Executive Officer.

The Australian Industry Group has appointed Innes Willox as the organisation’s new Chief Executive Officer.  Mr Willox will succeed outgoing chief Heather Ridout, taking on the role on 1 May.

Mark Puli, Chief Financial Officer ESSSuper since 2009 and most recently Acting CEO, has been appointed Chief Executive Officer of ESSSuper.

The Sydney Catchment Authority is seeking a Chief Executive following the resignation of Michael Bullen to take up a position as Deputy Director-General Agriculture with the Department of Primary Industries, located in Orange. Mr Bullen has been CEO of the SCA since June 2008. The SCA is responsible for the bulk water supply for more than 4.5 million people across the Greater Sydney Region. It has a budget of $130 million and a workforce of 250 people.

Engineering and construction firm Leighton Holdings has announced the new employment contract with its Chief Executive Officer, Hamish Tyrwhitt, who was appointed on 24 August 2011. The contract includes a fixed base salary of $2.4 million, with short and long-term incentives linked to performance targets.

The short-term incentive allows for an annual bonus of 100% of fixed salary for target performance with a maximum annual bonus of 150% for exceptional performance. The bonus will be 50% in cash and 50% deferred as share rights.

The long term incentive plan, currently being finalised, will entitle Mr Tyrwhitt to annual awards of rights to Leighton shares.

Principal directors of the George Institute for Global Health, Professor Stephen MacMahon and Professor Robyn Norton, have announced Associate Professor Vlado Perkovic as the executive director of the George Institute in Australia.

Leighton Holdings has announced Dharma Chandran as the company’s new Chief Human Resource Officer (CHRO), ending Craig van der Laan’s interim leadership of the company’s HR function.

Jeff Connolly, the current Senior Executive Vice President of Siemens North East Asia, has been appointed as CEO of Siemens' Australian operations effective 1 March 2012. He succeeds Albert Goller, who has resigned after nine years in the top position.

The board of Perpetual Limited has appointed Geoff Lloyd as Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, effective immediately, following Chris Ryan’s decision to step down.